[3] Crewe was founded in 1888 as a central location to house steam locomotive repair shops for the Norfolk & Western Railroad (now called Norfolk Southern) which has a rail yard there for east–west trains carrying Appalachian coal to Hampton Roads for export abroad, and the street pattern was laid out at that time.

[6] The railroad repair facility's importance diminished sharply in the 1950s, as the switch to diesel-electric locomotives required less labor and equipment.

A chicken festival is held annually on the third Wednesday in June, as well as the town Homecoming Celebration on the third weekend in May.

The Battle of Sayler's Creek, the last major American Civil War engagement before the Army of Northern Virginia's surrender at Appomattox Court House, occurred nearby.

The Southside Electric Cooperative, Piedmont Geriatric Hospital, and Nottoway Correctional Center are located in Burkeville.

This decline is often attributed to the presence of big-box chain stores in nearby Blackstone and Farmville, Virginia.

[8] According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.0 square miles (5.2 km2), all of it land.