Thurmond New River Gorge Development Concept Plan Intrepretive Prospectus Environmental Assessment

A draft report to preserve the town of Thurmond, WV.

This uncommon disbound report was published in October 1989 by the National Park Service. The contents – a concept plan, interpretive prospectus, and environmental assessment – address three different proposals to preserve the historic railroad town of Thurmond, West Virginia. From the summary;

“Thurmond has a significant history as one of the key railroad centers for shipping coal, freight, and passengers from the region on the C&O Railroad during the late 19th and 20th centuries. Although the town has declined in recent decades, it retains much of its historic character and reflects the period of its prominence.”

In 1995, the National Park Service restored the Thurmond Depot as a visitor center, with further renovation work taking place in 2023. Dozens of other buildings are at risk of destruction due to a lack of funding and proper maintenance.

Source: WCHS; National Park Service;