The Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railway mainline was Thurmond's main street, the
core of this town's identity. As one of the busiest centers of activity in this region of coal commerce, Thurmond was the only place in a 73-mile stretch where . . . — — Map (db m165257) HM
Thurmond ran from the river's edge up the hill. Homes dotted the hillside. Large businesses (like Hotel Thurmond and Armour Meat Company) along with small shops
(a jeweler, shoemaker, barber, and others) served the needs of residents and . . . — — Map (db m165248) HM
The first bridge here was for trains. Built in 1889, it provided a critical link between the Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railway mainline in Thurmond and the many coal mines and communities scattered throughout the gorge. The original bridge was . . . — — Map (db m242507) HM
As access to places outside the gorge improved, Thurmond's importance declined. Area coal mines also declined in productivity. The most significant changes, however, came by 1949 when the nation's railroad industry had switched from steam to . . . — — Map (db m165249) HM
A major use of coal was as fuel for steam trains. Coal was used to heat the water in the boiler of each locomotive, making steam that powered the train engines. As one of the few places in the gorge where locomotives could be refueled, the . . . — — Map (db m165246) HM
New River Gorge National River offers beautiful scenery and much more. The park features the geology of one of the world's
oldest rivers and preserves the natural and cultural diversity of a land once exploited by industry. Today New River Gorge is . . . — — Map (db m165244) HM
The area across the river was known as Southside Junction. During the industrial boom of the early 1900s, it helped draw many people to the Thurmond area for both business and pleasure.
Southside Junction boasted the famous Dunglen Hotel, as . . . — — Map (db m242506) HM
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. . . . — — Map (db m242510) HM
The rails that you see here symbolize Thurmond’s essence—the railroad. These rails were truly Thurmond’s main street. Coal was king, but was worthless if it couldn’t get to market. Workers in Thurmond’s engine house kept the C&O Railway’s coal . . . — — Map (db m242511) HM
The Chesapeake and Ohio (C&O) Railway built this depot in 1904 to manage passengers and freight—mostly coal. This building replaced an earlier depot that burned the year before. The railroad was the only practical way in and out of New River . . . — — Map (db m242512) HM
Ribbons of steel were, and still are, the main street of Thurmond. For over 80 years, trains were the primary method of travel, linking over 50 New River communities to each other and connecting the gorge to the rest of the US. Thurmond was a . . . — — Map (db m165243) HM
Here in Thurmond you can recall the vital role that railroads played in the growth and prosperity of America. For more than 80 years Thurmond’s railroads thrived. Amid the remnants of this once-bustling town, you can imagine the sounds of steam . . . — — Map (db m242508) HM
Look down the railroad tracks. You might see a train coming. But if you do, you won’t see an engine fueled by coal, belching smoke and steam, as you would have during Thurmond’s heyday. Instead, you will see an engine powered with diesel fuel. . . . — — Map (db m242509) HM
This depot was the heart of Thurmond and the New River Gorge in the early 1900s. The railroad ruled transportation, and this station is where people began their business and social activities when they arrived. Chesapeake & Ohio (C&O) Railway . . . — — Map (db m217544) HM
