Area Map
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Location:
North of Beckley, WV. Follow US 19 past the
shopping center. Watch for a road sign for Thurmond and
Glen Jean. Heading north, you will turn right at a
flashing yellow light. The road to Thurmond is well
signed, but you will have to make several more turns, and travel
several miles on a one-lane paved road (very curvy). Watch
for oncoming traffic, and be prepared to quickly pull onto the
shoulder.This
National Park Service map will help orient you. It
also provides a guide to the hiking and mountain biking trails
in the area. |
Tip:
According to the 2000 census, Thurmond has 7
residents. |
Tip:
Back in Thurmond's heyday, 500 people lived here,
and the rail lines carried out more than 97 thousand passengers
a year, along with 3.5 million tons of freight (most of which
was coal).
A 2004 article in the Huntington, WV Herald Dispatch has
more info. |
Tip:
Thurmond's downtown buildings were used as a
backdrop in the 1987 movie
Matewan, starring James Earl Jones. Matewan
tells the story of the outbreaks of violence in West Virginia's
coal mining communities during the early 1920's. |
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West Virginia's Rails
Thurmond, WV
If you want to experience the isolation of
life deep inside the Appalachians, just as it was in the early 20th
century, there's probably no better place than Thurmond. This
railroad ghost town is still easier to access by rail than by paved
road. You'll need to leave the four-lane freeways behind, and wind
for miles down a single lane†, in order to reach this long-forgotten
town.
You arrive in Thurmond by crossing the New
River over a narrow bridge that doubles as a railroad bridge. It
may appear old and rickety, but it's strong enough to get you to the
other side. Just hold your breath.
At the end of the bridge is an old railroad
station that now serves as a visitor's center. Depending on the
season, you may find a park ranger inside (this section of the New River
is managed by the National Park Service). The entire area has been
restored and is maintained quite well by the government.
A short walk down from the station, you'll
find Thurmond's old downtown, built right along the railroad tracks.
Several old buildings, including a bank with an impressive facade, make
up the old downtown.
On a normal day, all of these buildings are
locked. But during my visit, park rangers had been working inside,
and a couple of doors were left open. I took advantage of the
opportunity and slipped inside for a moment.
While the buildings have been restored on
the outside, not much has been done inside. For the most part, the
buildings were being used for storage.
Across the tracks you'll find a photogenic
old railroad building, with pulleys still attached to the side. If
you feel adventurous, and aren't too concerned for your own safety, you
could easily climb up inside this structure.
(More Info Below)
There are plenty of opportunities for hiking and mountain biking beyond
Thurmond's main street. This
National Park Service map
may help you plan an adventure. Hidden
Attraction: Waterfall As
you wind your way back to civilization, watch for a wide spot at the
side of the one-lane† road. You can't see it from the pavement, but
if you take just a few steps from the road, you'll find a small
waterfall. This relaxing spot is worthy of a short break.
Next Stop: Talcott, WV
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Fred Wolfe writes:
"The road down to Thurmond is NOT one lane...and, for a mountain
road it's not particularly winding. It's wide, smooth and well
marked." I recalled it being one
lane, but I could be wrong. Unless you're experienced on mountain
roads, I think most people will still find it to be somewhat winding and
challenging, but still well worth the challenge. --Daniel
In reference to the building with the
pulleys on the side, Gene Moser writes: "This structure is
the remains of a concrete coaling tower used to replenish the
coal bunker of the steam locomotives that went through
Thurmond. It was probably built in the 1920s and contained,
when full, between 200 and 300 tons of coal."
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