THURMOND, WV (LOOTPRESS) — A former resident of Thurmond is calling on the National Park Service (NPS) to reconsider its proposal to demolish historic structures in the once-thriving railroad town.
Marilyn Brown, who was born and raised in Thurmond during the 1950s, hopes the NPS will find an alternative to tearing down buildings that reflect the town’s storied past.
Now residing in Oak Hill, Brown frequently visits her former home, one of the structures listed for potential demolition.
Once a bustling hub on the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway, Thurmond was the most profitable freight stop along the line, bringing thousands of passengers through its depot each year. The influx of travelers fueled commerce—and, inevitably, some illicit activity.
The town’s origins trace back to 1873 when Confederate Captain W.D. Thurmond acquired the land as payment for a surveying job.
He envisioned a town built on Christian principles, banning alcohol, gambling, and prostitution within its limits. At its peak, Thurmond was home to around 400 residents.
Today, only a handful of people live there full-time. Most of the land and structures are owned by the NPS as part of New River Gorge National Park & Preserve.
The NPS has proposed demolishing 19 historic structures across New River Gorge National Park & Preserve, with the majority located in Thurmond.
The agency’s Proposed Demolition of Historic Structures Environmental Assessment (EA)states that most of these buildings “were not intended for reuse by the NPS and are now abandoned, dilapidated, and overgrown safety hazards that are vulnerable to trespassing and vandalism and are a burden to maintain.”
Among the structures on the list is Brown’s former home, built in 1900. The NPS refers to it as the “Marilyn Brown House” in its assessment.
Brown expressed disappointment over the proposal, fearing the loss of Thurmond’s historic character.
“I think it’s a shame,” Brown said. “They shouldn’t tear anything down because all of it is very old and should be kept for future generations to see how we lived.”
Proposed Alternatives
The NPS assessment outlines three alternatives:
- Alternative A: No Action — Structures would remain in place, continuing to deteriorate. Some buildings, like the Dun Glen Building/Ranger Station, would receive minimal maintenance for storage use, but no significant restoration would occur. Over time, fencing might be required for safety as buildings collapse.
- Alternative B: Demolish All Proposed Excess Historic Structures (NPS Preferred) — All 19 historic structures and one non-historic addition would be demolished. Afterward, sites would be restored and replanted with native vegetation. To protect wildlife, demolition would occur in winter, with revegetation in the spring.
- Alternative C: Retain Selected Historic Structures — This option would preserve three buildings in Thurmond’s Historic District with high potential for reuse: the Dun Glen Ark, the Thurmond Ice House, and the Marilyn Brown House. The remaining 16 structures would be demolished, and restoration efforts would follow the same process as Alternative B.
Brown hopes the NPS will consider leasing the buildings to private investors who could restore them for commercial use, such as general stores or lodging.
“What we have left here needs to stay,” Brown said. “They (the NPS) guaranteed they would keep these houses and maintain them.”
While the fate of the structures remains uncertain, Brown holds onto the memories of her time in Thurmond.
“This was a great place to grow up—it really was—and I miss it.”
NPS officials told LOOTPRESS that no final decision has been made.
