Ghost Town: No, Not Webster Springs

The New River at Thurmond, West Virginia (photo taken from bridge crossing the New River over to Thurmond).

While some may claim Webster Springs is becoming a ghost town, a visit to Thurmond, West Virginia in Fayette County reveals a true ghost town.

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, Thurmond had five (5) permanent residents.  The park ranger at Thurmond now says there are but three permanent residents.  

Thurmond was once a prosperous coal mining and railroad town.  Today, it is part of the New River Gorge National River park service.  The old Thurmond railroad depot is now a visitor's center and the town boasts several buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.

Thurmond makes for an entertaining half day trip from Webster County.  Drive South on U.S. Route 19 past Oak Hill to the Glen Jean exit and simply follow the signs to Thurmond (about six miles along a narrow, winding road).  Thurmond sits along the New River where many whitewater rafting companies begin their trips down the New River.  The video below shows some of the highlights of a trip to Thurmond.