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All the United States West Virginia Thurmond Thurmond, West Virginia
AO Edited

Thurmond, West Virginia

Once connected to the outside world by a single train track, this ghost town is looked after by the National Park Service.

Thurmond, West Virginia

Added By
Leah Caldwell
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Thurmond’s Main Street. (LeahC/Atlas Obscura)   LeahC / Atlas Obscura User
Thurmond’s Main Street. (LeahC/Atlas Obscura)   LeahC / Atlas Obscura User
The National Bank of Thurmond. (LeahC/Atlas Obscura)   LeahC / Atlas Obscura User
Single-lane bridge crossing the New River into Thurmond. (LeahC/Atlas Obscura)   LeahC / Atlas Obscura User
Thurmond Bank   Wild Ginger Exploration / Atlas Obscura User
Thurmond house   sidphoto / Atlas Obscura User
  sidphoto / Atlas Obscura User
  forssa / Atlas Obscura User
View of the coal fueling tower  
  frances van woglom / Atlas Obscura User
  frances van woglom / Atlas Obscura User
  frances van woglom / Atlas Obscura User
  frances van woglom / Atlas Obscura User
  Gin Minsky
Coal station   annellelough / Atlas Obscura User
Railroad station. Amtrak operational.   annellelough / Atlas Obscura User
  Gin Minsky
A view of the river from the bridge.   Wild Ginger Exploration / Atlas Obscura User
Looking towards Thurmond from the second bridge overlook.   Wild Ginger Exploration / Atlas Obscura User
Thurmond Train Depot   Wild Ginger Exploration / Atlas Obscura User
  paigeelizabeth3660 / Atlas Obscura User
  paigeelizabeth3660 / Atlas Obscura User
  Michael Busch / Atlas Obscura User
  juche
  juche
“town hall” building   rebekah anderson / Atlas Obscura User
graffiti   rebekah anderson / Atlas Obscura User
abandoned house beside the train tracks   rebekah anderson / Atlas Obscura User
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  Gin Minsky
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About

Even during Thurmond's most prosperous days as a coal depot in the early 20th century, the town's only connection to the outside world was a single rail line.

No roads led in or out of the town until 1921 when a single-lane bridge crossing the New River was constructed. Yet by this time, the town's coal-dependent population had begun to dwindle, with the town's fate being sealed in 1935 when Thurmond's only bank collapsed.

The National Bank of Thurmond and several other well-preserved structures such as a hotel remain deserted along the town's main street, which runs parallel to the once thriving train tracks. The National Park Service runs a bare-bones operation from the old train depot, keeping watch over the town and preserving the remaining buildings. One of the town's most prominent structures is a coal drop machine towering above the train tracks, which is used for refueling.

According to a 2013 census, the current population is 5, and the town remains as isolated as it was in the 1920s. To get to Thurmond, you drive over miles of scenic roads that twist along with the New River and then finally cross over the river using the single-lane bridge.

Related Tags

Boomtowns Intriguing Environs Ghost Towns Ecosystems

Know Before You Go

Thurmond is served by Amtrak, the United States’ national railroad passenger system. The Cardinal, train that runs from Chicago to New York City, serves Thurmond three times per week in each direction. 

To reach Thurmond by car, take U.S. Route 19 to the Glen Jean exit, north of Beckley. Follow the signs to Thurmond, seven miles down WV Route 25, a narrow, winding road that is not recommended for RVs and trailers. Know that the Thurmond, track side buildings, are facades only. There is nothing but weeds, growing behind most of the store fronts. The road making a "circuit" of the town, is narrow snd steep, with tight, hairpin turns. Large vehicles and/or trailers, may find the road impassible. Heavy rain or light snow, may also may the road, impassible.  

Community Contributors

Added By

LeahC

Edited By

Rachel, juche, Gin Minsky, MichaelG...

  • Rachel
  • juche
  • Gin Minsky
  • MichaelG
  • derektopper
  • rebekah anderson
  • Michael Busch
  • paigeelizabeth3660
  • frances van woglom
  • forssa
  • annellelough
  • jaybaylb
  • rvw1997
  • sidphoto
  • joanne 0c145694
  • Wild Ginger Exploration
  • gooddawg0482

Published

February 28, 2011

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Sources
  • Coal Camp USA: A Tour Around Thurmond, WV: http://www.coalcampusa.com/sowv/river/thurmond/thurmond.htm
  • Wikipedia: Thurmond, West Virginia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thurmond,_West_Virginia
  • http://minskysabandoned.com/2015/08/06/west-virginia-ghost-towns-part-2-thurmond/
Thurmond, West Virginia
174 Main Street
Thurmond, West Virginia, 25936
United States
37.961502, -81.082322
Visit Website
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Nearby Places

Red Ash Island Cemetery

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Explore the Destination Guide

Photo of West Virginia

West Virginia

United States

Places 112
Stories 10

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Photo of West Virginia

West Virginia

United States

Places 112
Stories 10

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