A Short History of West Virginia’s Ghost Towns

West Virginia’s abandoned towns grew from coal and the railroads that hauled it out of the mountains. In the deep gorges of the New River and its tributaries, company towns sprang up wherever a seam met a rail line, flourishing for a few decades before the mines closed and the population drained away. Thurmond, perched on a narrow shelf beside the New River, was one of the busiest of them — a rail town whose freight revenues once rivaled far larger cities, with a main street pressed so tightly against the tracks that there was barely room for sidewalks. As coal declined and diesel locomotives ended the need for the town’s servicing facilities, Thurmond shrank to a handful of residents, its depot and commercial buildings surviving as ghosts of the boom.

Getting There & Access

Thurmond sits within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, reached by a winding, narrow road that drops down to the river and crosses a one-lane bridge into town. The route is paved but tight and steep, and not suited to large RVs or trailers; drive slowly and be ready to yield. The restored depot serves as a seasonal visitor center, and the surviving buildings can be viewed from the road and the old rail alignment. Trains still pass through, so stay well clear of the active tracks. Fall brings spectacular color to the gorge and heavier traffic, while winter can leave the access road icy, so time your visit accordingly.

Public Land & Responsible Visiting

Much of the New River Gorge, including Thurmond, is federal parkland where historic structures are protected and interpreted by the National Park Service. Do not enter closed or private buildings, and leave any artifacts, hardware, or building materials where they lie — removing them is illegal on park land and strips the site of its history. The railroad remains active and dangerous; never walk on or across the tracks, and obey all posted signs. Stay on established roads and trails to protect the steep, erosion-prone gorge slopes, pack out everything you carry in, and give the few remaining residents their privacy. Treating Thurmond gently keeps this rare, intact coal-and-rail landscape legible for the visitors who come after you.