New River Gorge National River

You are now in the heart of downtown Thurmond. In 1913 the Fayette Journal called Thurmond the "Biggest Little Town." Today it is difficult to imagine why. Just three buildings survive from Thurmond's once-thriving commercial district.

Thurmond once boasted a telegraph and express office, district telephone offices and a telephone exchange, two general stores, offices of two coal companies, a restaurant, drug store, law office, shoemaker, jeweler, photographer, meat processing plant, offices of the Baldwin-Felts Detective Agency, and the Thurmond Hotel.

But despite a thriving commercial district, even in its prime in the 1920s Thurmond's resident population never exceeded 500.

"One of the finest little hostelries in the state is the new Thurmond Hotel...There are 35 rooms with seven bathrooms. The building is heated by steam and lighted with 400 electric lights...Nearly every room is filled every night." Fayette Journal January 23, 1902.

(Inscription above the image in the lower right) The Thurmond Hotel (below, circa 1909) stood where you now stand. Beyond the hotel were more businesses, including an Armour packing plant that shipped meat to coal camps for 30 years. The hotel and Armour plant burned in 1963.

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Show me all markers in:  Thurmond, WV  |  Fayette County  |  25936  |  West Virginia  |  United States of America

The Railroad Was the Town Historical
Thurmond's Decline Historical
Thurmond, West Virginia Historical
Thurmond Depot Historical
Oak Hill Railroad Depot
Glen Jean Athletic Club Historical
Community Life in a Coal Camp
The Coal Barons
Labor Strikes and Conflicts
Disaster Underground

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