Collectively, the Hicksford-Emporia Historic District and Belfield-Emporia Historic District tell the story of the evolution of Emporia from two small early-19th-century crossroads to a merged, active city and the seat of Southside Virginia’s Greensville County. Geographically separated by the Meherrin River, the neighboring towns of Hicksford and Belfield merged in 1887 to form Emporia. Belfield was established in 1798, while Hicksford was established one year later. Both districts benefited from the construction of the Petersburg Railroad in 1832, but were aided substantially in their post-Civil War recovery by the completion of the Norfolk and Danville Railroad, which allowed goods to be transported easily to the newly formed city of Emporia. The town of Belfield-Emporia is laid out in a T-shaped pattern north of the river. Halifax Street is the main thoroughfare through the commercial section within the district; the east side of the street is dominated by the railroad lines. The district features buildings reflective of the city’s growth and prosperity following the construction of the railroad and into the early 20th century. They also demonstrate the economic decline that followed the construction of the Interstate 95 bypass in the 1950s. The bypass, which was touted as a super highway, combined with mid-20th century weather catastrophes — such as winter storms, hurricanes and flooding — to severely impact Emporia’s economy, as well as a portion of its historic building stock.