THAYER, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Thayer, West Virginia was one of many coal towns that sprung up in the New River Gorge after the completion of the C&O Railway.
The town was established in 1902 by the Ephriam Creek Coal and Coke Company. The town is located on the north side of the New River between Thurmond and Prince.
The town, like most in the New River Gorge, featured a company store, post office, multiple homes, a church, and even a theatre and bowling alley.
The population of the town peaked at around 400 residents and structures expanded up the hill as more people moved to Thayer, some remain today. The Thayer Post office was the final operation to leave the town as it closed in 1968.
Although many of the structures no longer remain, the town is not completely abandoned as a few people still live there. The National Park Service also has a campground in Thayer.
The Thayer Church, Post Office, Coal Company Club House, and a few company homes remain.
To get to Thayer from the Thurmond, turn right onto County Route 25/2 (Road before crossing Thurmond Bridge), then in 1.5 miles make a left turn onto McKendree Road (cross Stone Cliff Bridge), and then in 4.7 miles keep right onto Thayer Post Office Road, stay on that road for 0.5 miles and you will arrive in the town of Thayer.
The road is all gravel once you cross the Stone Cliff Bridge.