FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Fayette County Commission has unanimously approved a resolution opposing the National Park Service’s planned demolition of historic structures in Thurmond and the Prince Brothers Store in Prince.
The resolution was approved during the commission’s regular meeting on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, following a request from Holly Clark, representing Preservation Thurmond, a nonprofit organization formed to oppose the demolition plans and advocate for the preservation of the historic buildings.
All three commissioners, Allison Taylor, John Brenemen and Chuck Miller, voted in favor of the resolution.
During the meeting, Miller expressed concern about the loss of historic structures and questioned why federal funding could not be directed toward preserving the buildings.
“The historical part needs to be preserved. I mean, we’re losing stuff right and left. If we’re going to worry about working on trails and restoring train trestles to walk or ride a bike across, and spend $11.8 million, I think they can come up with enough money to restore these buildings. To me, that’s part of our history. That’s part of our legacy. There was a lot of blood, sweat, and tears that went in down here. I think it’s something that should be preserved,” Miller said.
The resolution signals the county commission’s support for preservation efforts but does not carry the authority to stop the demolitions. The properties are owned by the federal government and managed by the National Park Service, meaning the county commission has no direct control over what happens to the structures.
According to Preservation Thurmond, demolition work is scheduled to begin November 15, 2026.
The demolition plan is part of a larger National Park Service effort to address deteriorating and underused structures within New River Gorge National Park and Preserve. Park officials have cited structural deterioration, safety concerns, maintenance costs and limited resources as reasons for removing the buildings.
The plan was finalized in July 2025 following an environmental review and public comment period. The National Park Service has maintained that removing certain structures will allow it to concentrate resources on preserving other historic properties.
According to the National Park Service’s final demolition decision, structures approved for demolition include the Charles Ashley Garage and Outbuilding, May Bagoski House, Harold Smith House, Sidney Allen Ward House, Wedzel Young House, Erskine Pugh Rental House, James Humphrey Sr. House, McGuffin Garage, Phillip A. McClung/Meadows House and the Dun Glen Building, also known as the former ranger station.
Outside Thurmond, the plan includes the Prince Brothers General Store in Prince, a pool chemical treatment building at Camp Brookside and a nonhistoric addition to the Vallandingham House.
However, not all historic buildings in Thurmond are being demolished. The structures along the lower portion of town, including the historic Commercial Row buildings and former railroad depot that visitors see when entering the community, are not included in the demolition plan and will remain standing for now.
The National Park Service has also decided to retain the Marilyn Brown House, Thurmond Ice House and Dun Glen Ark.
Three additional structures could potentially avoid demolition through leasing arrangements. Those include the Tom Kelly House in Thurmond and the Dun Glen Mini Ark and Boat Storage Rack. The Park Service has indicated that these structures could be retained if viable lease proposals are received.
However, as of the October 28 commission meeting, the National Park Service had not issued formal Requests for Proposals (RFPs) specifically for those structures, leaving interested individuals and organizations without a formal competitive solicitation through which to pursue the leasing opportunities.
Preservation Thurmond has been working to identify potential individuals and organizations interested in restoring and reusing the buildings.
The organization’s efforts have also included opposition to the demolition of the Prince Brothers Store, a historic commercial structure in the nearby community of Prince.
Despite the commission’s unanimous vote, the resolution does not change the National Park Service’s approved demolition plan or prevent work from moving forward.
Instead, it places Fayette County’s elected commissioners on record in support of preserving the historic structures and encourages the federal agency to consider alternatives before demolition begins.
With demolition work scheduled to begin November 15, according to Preservation Thurmond, preservation advocates have continued calling for the buildings to be saved.
