THURMOND, W.Va. — Deep in the New River Gorge, the town of Thurmond is attracting attention worldwide. With four full-time residents, it's technically a ghost town, but filmmaker Jillian Howell insists there’s nothing lifeless about it.
“Every brick in Thurmond tells a story,” she says. “Whether it’s fact or fiction, the history runs deep—more than 120 years deep.” She says her effort isn’t just about preserving the past, but showing why Thurmond still matters.
The National Park Service, in an unprecedented move, has decided to demolish much of the town in an effort to save money and has declined to lease the properties to investors who would restore them. The move isn't sitting well with New River area natives or with Howell, who celebrates the wonder of the community.
What makes Thurmond special? It's absurdly small, it's remarkably isolated, and it's located entirely within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. But there's more to it than that, Howell says.
Wild and Woolly Past
Local lore has it that “the only difference between Hell and Thurmond is that a river runs through Thurmond.” While the quote’s origin is murky, its meaning is clear. Thurmond was once the calm eye of a storm swirling with vice, violence, and excess.
Across the New River in Dun Glen, the Dun Glen Hotel became legendary for its indulgence. “The world’s longest poker game was said to have been played there,” Howell says with a laugh. “Fourteen years straight!”
The Guinness Book of World Records never confirmed it, nor did Ripley’s Believe It or Not!. Still, the legend has survived in print for decades—just one of many tall tales from a region where fact and folklore are nearly indistinguishable.
Modern Lore
What’s often left out of Thurmond’s story is its more recent history. This tiny place played a role in the birth of West Virginia’s whitewater rafting industry. Locals still talk about Fatty Lipscomb’s guesthouse, the once-popular Bankers’ Club, and even a husband-and-wife race for mayor.
And speaking of mayors, in a town of four residents, the position is no small thing—literally 25% of the population. “You can’t help but laugh,” Howell says, “but you also can’t help but respect it.”
People Who Keep It Alive
Despite the ghost-town label, Howell says the real story of Thurmond is about the people. “You can shoot the most beautiful footage of old brick buildings, but it’s the people who make them come alive,” she explains.
The residents welcomed her crew with open arms. They’ve been invited to riverside barbecues, Christmas parties, and even helped out during emergencies. One Memorial Day, when a fallen tree trapped tourists in town, the stranded travelers were quickly invited to join a community picnic.
“People think small West Virginia towns aren’t welcoming to outsiders, but that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Howell says.
The Landscape
Geographically, Thurmond is as unique as its history. The town is essentially one small loop, with a road that curls up the mountain and back down again. The main street isn’t really a street at all—it’s the still-active railroad, complete with an Amtrak stop.
Just beyond it, the New River charges past, a roaring reminder of nature’s dominance. It's one of the best-known whitewater rafting rivers in North America, and more than 250,000 rafters and kayakers paddle it annually. “There is nowhere else on earth quite like it,” Howell says.
Why Thurmond Matters
Thurmond was built on kinship and, some say, a bit of spite. That same stubbornness has kept it alive long after other boomtowns faded. Today, its mix of grit, legend, and charm makes it one of the most celebrated tiny towns in America, though that may not last long.
“Hands down, the people are the secret ingredient,” Howell says. “That’s why everyone should visit Thurmond. It’s not just a ghost town—it’s a living story.”
While locals and state legislators fight to keep the town alive, the National Park Service has announced that, despite the recommendations of consultants, it will demolish the buildings rather than institute a leasing program that other parks maintain. The state's congressional representatives, who have the ability to intervene, Capito, Miller, and Justice, have been silent.
This might be the last time the town is captured intact on film. If you haven't already, take a moment to enjoy this short promotional clip and consider contributing to the project: https://seedandspark.com/fund/thurmonddoc
Consultants, engineers find no need for New River Gorge demolitions
THURMOND. W.Va. — Despite efforts to tear down many of the town's historic buildings, consultants employed by the National Park Service to evaluate the condition of nationally historic structures now slated for demolition instead recommend saving them. They determined that simple maintenance would extend the structures' lives until solutions could be found. READ THE FULL STORY HERE.
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I grew up in oak hill,West Virginia. Just short trip from Thurmond! As teens we spent alot of time down there on the river! Enjoying the beauty and respecting her majesty as many friends left us through her. You had to give her the respect she deserved! Best days of my life and nights camping on the banks of the river!
My family all passed now are from the oak Hill area. They are most all of them are buried at the odd fellow cemetery there in oak Hill. Last name Burgess and roncaglione
Like Thurmond, rivers have helped to shape WV. The Cheat river is one of them, with small towns such as Rowlesburg and Albright. Also, the Cacpon River with a small village of Great Cacapon. Lots of history there with old Indian information(hence Cacapon), silica mining and stories of workers from the tomatoes canning factory. As a West Virginian growing up there my grandparents always invited strangers for dinner or social gatherings and my grandmother would take offense if you didn't eat. She felt you didn't like her food. Refreshing article which brought back many memories. Thanks.
Lived in. GLEN Morgan several years ago. Visit occasionally wjen we get a chance
I'm at Thurmond several times a week my favorite place to walk,,,I love Thurmond,I can remember every structure had a family living in them, I remember Pughs Store,,without these structures Thurmond wouldn't exist, Please keep the old houses, they mean so much to all of us.
I was raised in Glen Jean/Hilltop so Thurmond was outdoor treat in the 90s. We went fishing, swimming, And BBQ'ing there in the summers. Such a beautiful place and a beautiful time.
I found my self in Thurmond about 3 years and the bridge over the river with the lookouts was a spiritual experience. I'm so grateful the Mountain Momma raised me.
I lived in Harvey, just a few miles from Thurmond in the 60s. I remember riding our bikes down that winding road and picking berries in the summer. It was a great place to grow up.
I have visited Thurmond with a group of white water rafters. We stayed at the Bankers Club and cheered at dinner when the train passed by just a few feet from the front of the building. We rafted the Upper and Lower Gauley river. Beautiful area.
Another interesting fact is that amtrak has a stop in thurmond and you can take the train to Washington DC or Chicago which is wild considering how far out in the middle of nowhere thurmond its located.
That amtrak has a stop in thurmond and you can take the train to Washington DC or Chicago is wild considering how far out in the middle of nowhere thurmond its located.
I have never been to Thurmond, and I do not even live in WV. However, I am a stickler for the preservation and restoration of these small "gernuine gems" nestled in the most remote places of America's crown jewels. They may be considered "ghost towns" to some, but to others they are very much alive with contributions to the history that was made there. I say....Long Live Thurmond!