Once bustling population centers that have since been deserted are part of America’s fabric—from the gold rush towns and villages of the Old West to the abandoned mines and industrial heavyweights in the East. These places all hold a fascination for travelers; whether it’s because of their dynamic histories, tales of forgotten lore, haunted reputations, or simply the chance to tour still standing relics of a past that no longer exists.
Thurmond, West Virginia is one such place—known as the Heart of the New River Gorge, the town is now virtually abandoned yet still stands as a relatively untouched testament to its illustrious past as a railroad town. What once was an area made up of coal towns (with Thurmond at the center), is now a ghost town; however, visitors are still drawn to the area because of its natural beauty, outdoor recreation, and a fascination with the history of this small West Virginia town.
The History Of Thurmond
Officially founded in 1900, Thurmond was named after the enigmatic Captain Thurmond, who received the land as payment for his work surveying land in the New River Gorge. The town of Thurmond, once established, began to grow quickly over the years, in large part because of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad whose main line connected to Thurmond and was used to transport coal. Throughout the early decades of the 20th century, Thurmond became a boomtown—and the heart of the many mining communities throughout the Gorge. Trains carrying both coal and passengers made the town the epicenter of an area known for its coal production—but it was Thurmond’s bustling downtown that gave it the reputation as a social hub with restaurants, shopping, a movie theater, and the train depot that made it easy to cross the river.
Despite its prosperity in the 1920s and 30s, by the mid-20th century Thurmond had already begun its slow decline, starting with a fire at the popular Dun Glen Hotel, and culminating with diesel engines replacing coal-powered trains as less coal came from the local mines and they began to shut down. Though the town experienced a partial renaissance in the 1960s and 70s due to the introduction of commercial rafting companies and the creation of the New River Gorge Bridge, the town never again fully reached the height of its early boomtown days.
The Town Of Thurmond In The 21st Century
Today, the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve remains a destination for lovers of the outdoors, and rafting remains a popular pastime in the area. The town itself is also a bastion for history lovers who are fascinated with the town’s enigmatic past which can still be seen in various National Park-owned and run structures throughout the area. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, there is plenty to explore in this erstwhile ghost town that may not be full of people, but is certainly full of a robust history that reflects an important and fascinating part of America’s industrial past.
Take A Hike In Thurmond
Exploring Thurmond and the surrounding area on foot is the best way to get a sense of both the area’s history and its scenic natural beauty. While the New River Gorge National Park has plenty of trails to explore, it is the trails in and around this West Virginia ghost town that truly capture the imagination by taking visitors into a forgotten past.
- The Train Station/Main Street Loop is one of Thurmond’s most popular walks, as it takes visitors past the Thurmond Church—itself used in the movie Matewan— to old area homes that have been restored by the National Park Service, the perfect intro to Thurmond history
- The Rend Trail is an easy hiking and biking trail that takes visitors along an abandoned branch of the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway; there are also plenty of scenic views of the town and the New River, too
- The Brooklyn-Southside Junction Trail is a 6-mile hiking and biking riverside trail that passes through some of the area’s abandoned towns that were once bustling mining communities
- While it's not a nature hike, a walk across the Thurmond Bridge is still a fun way to get some scenic views of the river while walking on this road into Thurmond
Other Outdoor Activities In Thurmond
- Visit the Dun Glen Say Use Area, located across the bridge and a great place to sit and relax by the river
- Visit the New River Gorge National Park and take a hike, explore history with a guided tour, or visit one of its preserved buildings like Trump-Lilly Farm or Richmond Hamilton Farm—the perfect combo of nature and history. Want more outdoor recreation? There are numerous opportunities throughout the park to climb, camp, whitewater raft, or simply explore the over 100 miles of scenic trails
- Take the Thurmond Walking Tour to learn all about this former mining boomtown that remains an integral part of the New River Gorge
- Stay and play at the ACE Adventure Resort, a one-stop shop for outdoor adventures including rafting, mountain biking, rock climbing, zip-lining, and a spring-fed mountain lake waterpark. Don’t forget to visit the Concho Rim Overlook for some of the area’s most spectacular views—including some of the New River, (ironically) one of America’s oldest rivers
History comes alive in the ghost town of Thurmond, West Virginia—while currently the town only boasts a handful of residents, it certainly makes up for it with a fascinating and dynamic history. Whether it's exploring historic spots like the Thurmond Passenger Depot (now a visitor center), or reveling in the town’s scenic natural beauty and a plethora of outdoor opportunities, the former mining boomtown is just an Amtrak train ride away for visitors looking to explore a nostalgic piece of America’s mining and industrial past.