Virginia. In 1887, the neighboring towns of Hicksford and Belfield merged together to form the town of Emporia. Geographically separated by the Meherrin River, Emporia serves as the county seat of Greensville County. The topography of the district is generally flat. The historic district, which is approximately two blocks long and two blocks wide, developed because of its agricultural economy and railroad-related growth. The small city served as the hub of Greensville County until the mid-20th century, when an economic decline depressed the town. The Belfield section of Emporia, Virginia, is located on the north side of the Meherrin River in Greensville County, Virginia. Although the town was established as early as 1799, the extant building stock of Belfield consists generally of late-19th- to early-20th-century brick buildings laid out in a T-shape at the intersection of Halifax and Baker Streets. Most of the commercial architecture in Belfield was constructed of brick laid in a six course common bond pattern. Large, plate glass storefront windows generally flank a central entrance which is usually topped with a transom. The upper stories generally have double-hung windows. Most buildings in Belfield's downtown also have a parapet roof accented by corbelling. - NRHP Registration, 19 September 2007