Thurmond in Fayette County, West Virginia — The American South (Appalachia)
The Heart of Town
New River Gorge National River
| — | National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior | — |
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 4, 2012
1. The Heart of Town Marker
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.
[Caption:]
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.
Erected by National
this page online
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars. A significant historical date for this entry is January 23, 1902.
Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 37° 57.534′ N, 81° 4.824′ W. Marker was in Thurmond, West Virginia, in Fayette County. It was on Thurmond Road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Thurmond WV 25936, United States of America.
We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Regionally, this marker was in the New River Gorge and in Greater Charleston Area. It was also in the American South, specifically in the Upper South, in Appalachia, and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: July 2013 (within shouting distance
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 4, 2012
2. Thurmond Buildings
Other markers no longer nearby. Thurmond’s Decline (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed); The Railroad Was the Town (was here, next to this marker but has been permanently removed).
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 4, 2012
3. Thurmond Buildings
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 4, 2012
4. Thurmond Buildings
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 4, 2012
5. Thurmond Buildings
Photographed by Don Morfe, August 4, 2012
6. Thurmond Buildings
Credits. This page was last revised on March 8, 2024. It was originally submitted on November 27, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 462 times since then and 24 times this year. Last updated on March 7, 2024, by Craig Doda of Napoleon, Ohio. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on November 27, 2016, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
