Equal parts eerie and fascinating, the ghost town of Thurmond, West Virginia is located in the beautiful New River Gorge National Park. Hit hard by the Great Depression and abandoned by the 1950s, it has been well preserved and it’s just waiting for you to explore. The National Park Services maintains around 20 buildings in former coal and rail villages, and you’ll want to see every one. To learn more about Thurmond, a ghost town in West Virginia, take a look below.

Paralleling the scenic New River, and nestled within America’s newest national park – New River Gorge National Park, the abandoned town of Thurmond, West Virginia will quickly transport you back in time.
Jet Lowe/Library Of Congress/Wikipedia
First settled in 1844 by W.D. Thurmond, a surveyor who eventually served in the Confederate Army, the town of Thurmond was incorporated in 1901. A bustling rail town in the early 1900s, Thurmond had the largest revenue on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway with its huge amounts of coal brought in from area mines.
Staff Photo
More than 15 passenger trains came through the town each day, and the Thurmond depot serves as many as 75,000 passengers each year. And until 1921, the only way to get in and out of this ghost town in West Virginia was aboard a train.
Carol M. Highsmith/Library of Congress/Wikipedia

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With the advent of diesel locomotives and less coal coming in from local mines, the town declined, businesses closed, and residents moved on. At the 2020 census, the town’s population was only five, making it the least-populous municipality in West Virginia.
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During its heyday, circa 1930, the population of Thurmond was nearly 500. The town was home to two hotels, restaurants, clothing stores, a jewelry store, a movie theater, several dry goods stores, and many other types of businesses. Thurmond's banks were also the richest in the state.
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The town continued to thrive through the early decades of the 20th century, but several businesses closed during the Great Depression. Two large fires also wiped out several major businesses.
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Today, the National Park Service now owns more than 20 structures around town, and the entire town is a designated historic district on the National Register of Historic Places. The C&O passenger railway depot was renovated in 1995 and functions as a seasonal visitors center for the National Park Service.
Staff Photo

As one can imagine, there are reports that Thurmond, West Virginia is haunted. However, we can’t find mention of any specific ghost stories. There’s just a “strange presence” that seems to follow you through town. Follow us through Thurmond below.

Have you ever been to the abandoned town of Thurmond, West Virginia? If so, please feel free to share your experience with us in the comments below.

In addition to Thurmond, another ghost town in West Virginia that’s worth checking out is Kaymoor. For information about Kaymoor, be sure to take a look at the following article: The Abandoned Small Town Of Kaymoor In West Virginia Is Eerily Beautiful.

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More to Explore

abandoned places in west virginia

Jennifer Young | February 08, 2023

What are three abandoned places in West Virginia?

There are several abandoned places in West Virginia. From houses and hotels to churches and parks, the list is endless. Listed below are three abandoned places in West Virginia that are worth seeking out.

1. Hilltop House Hotel in Harper's Ferry

Following a fire, this luxurious hotel was left structurally unstable. It was eventually abandoned and is considered one of West Virginia's creepiest places.

2. Old Sweet Springs Resort in Gap Mills

Several decades ago, Sweet Springs was a popular vacation destination. People came here because of its healing spring waters. In 1930, the resort closed. It's been abandoned since 1993.

3. Lake Shawnee Amusement Park in Rock

Following a couple of tragic accidents, which resulted in the deaths of children, Lake Shawnee Amusement Park closed. Currently, this abandoned amusement park is privately owned. However, it sometimes opens for tours in October.

What's one of the creepiest places in West Virginia that'll send shivers up your spine?

There's no denying that West Virginia has its fair share of creepy places. One of its creepiest places in West Virginia is Route 901, which happens to be a 5.5-mile stretch of road through farmland in Berkeley County. Many people have had ghostly encounters while driving down this road late at night. For example, several of them have reported seeing the ghost of a wounded confederate soldier. When they got out of the car to help him, he was gone. However, his bloody handprints were left behind on the car's hood.

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