Thurmond

Tucked along the New River in Fayette County, West Virginia, Thurmond is a near-abandoned railroad and coal town that once thrived as a commercial hub during the height of coal mining activity in the New River Gorge. At its peak, the town supported a busy array of businesses and facilities serving the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway, making it a notable stop in the region.

Today the 2020 census counted just five residents, and visitors arrive to find a quiet, time-worn townsite rather than a living community. The historic railroad depot and a handful of weathered structures remain, offering a tangible sense of the place's former scale. It draws travelers interested in history, photography, and the striking river setting that surrounds the old townscape.