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Thurmond West Virginia Ghost Stories: Tucked deep in the New River Gorge, Thurmond was once a booming coal town, thriving in the early 1900s as a major stop on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway. With banks, hotels, stores, and a busy train depot, it was the social and economic center of the region. Trains carried passengers and tons of New River Smokeless Coal out of the Gorge daily.
Founded around 1900 and named after Captain Thurmond, the town became known for its contrast between dry city limits and the nearby Dun Glen Hotel, infamous for gambling, booze, and the legendary 14-year-long poker game. When the hotel burned in 1930, Thurmond’s decline began. Rail traffic slowed, coal demand dropped, and by the 1950s, the town had nearly emptied.
In the 1960s, whitewater rafting brought new life to the area, and in 2021, the surrounding land became the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve—America’s newest national park. Today, Thurmond is largely preserved by the National Park Service, with a handful of residents and a few restored buildings offering a glimpse into the past.
Visitors can explore the old main street, take a walking tour, or even arrive by Amtrak, which still stops in town. Some even say the place is haunted, making it a perfect stop for history lovers and ghost seekers.
### 1. **The Ghosts of the Thurmond Depot**
The Thurmond Depot, a historic train station that was once bustling with passengers during the heyday of the railroad industry, is said to be haunted by the spirits of former railroad workers and travelers. The depot, which is now a part of the New River Gorge National Park, has been the site of many reports of strange sounds, such as footsteps echoing in empty hallways, and the feeling of being watched. Some say they have seen shadowy figures walking around the depot late at night, even though the building is no longer in use.
### 2. **The Phantom Train**
One of the most famous ghost stories in the New River Gorge area involves the sound of a phantom train. Locals and hikers have reported hearing the distant rumble of a train in the middle of the night, despite there being no active train routes through the area anymore. Some say that it’s the ghostly echo of a train that used to carry coal through the gorge, and its spirits still make their rounds. The train’s whistle can sometimes be heard even when there are no trains in sight, sending chills down the spines of those nearby.
### 3. **The Ghost of the Old Hotel**
Thurmond once had a thriving hotel that catered to travelers passing through on the railroad. The hotel has long since fallen into disrepair, but there are tales that a ghostly figure haunts the old structure. Some visitors and ghost hunters have claimed to see an apparition of a woman in white, believed to be the spirit of a former hotel guest who tragically died there under mysterious circumstances. Others have reported feeling sudden temperature drops or hearing disembodied voices while exploring the ruins of the hotel.
### 4. **The Miner’s Spirit**
Since Thurmond’s early days were tied to coal mining, it’s no surprise that there are stories of miners who never quite left the town. In one tale, a miner who died in a tragic accident is said to haunt a specific stretch of the railroad tracks near Thurmond. Those who walk along the tracks at night claim to feel a cold hand on their shoulder or hear whispers of a miner’s voice. Some believe the spirit is still looking for his lost comrades or attempting to warn others of the dangers of the mine.
These stories, whether true or not, add a mysterious and spooky charm to Thurmond, West Virginia, making it a destination for both history buffs and fans of the paranormal. If you’re ever in the area, it might be worth taking a quiet walk around the depot or along the old train tracks at night—just in case you encounter one of the town’s lingering spirits!
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