West Virginia Ghost Town: All Alone in the (Almost) Abandoned and Lonesome Town of Thurmond

Фильм және анимация

West Virginia Ghost Town: All Alone in the Town of Thurmond Deep in the Appalachian Mountains. It was nice to have an entire town to myself as I visited the old rail town of Thurmond in Fayette County not too far from the New River Gorge. Who else has been to Thurmond or another ghost town?
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Пікірлер: 566

  • @meredithwhite272
    @meredithwhite2723 жыл бұрын

    I live near DC and I've gone hiking in West Virginia a few times. My mind is always blown how quiet it is. Where I live there is always a hum of manmade background noises that I forget about until I go somewhere where I can't hear it.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    I worked off and on in DC for a bit and it is such a drastic difference that it is almost hard to believe it is the same country. I was out in the woods last week and all I could hear was the sound of my own footsteps. I like both environments though.

  • @kingdonaltron
    @kingdonaltron3 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful. America is such a beautiful country. It's such a shame that this town died.

  • @Rick_Bagnall
    @Rick_Bagnall3 жыл бұрын

    Greetings from New Hampshire! Thanks for the show! When I saw this thumbnail, I had to get my wife so we could watch it together. We were married on June 21, 2014 and she picked Thurmond as our honeymoon destination. We toured the New River Gorge and Thurmond. We even crossed behind the buildings and went up the hill to the little church at the end of a switchback where the people actually live. What a cool place!

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Now THAT is a great story, you just made my day, Rick

  • @b1k2q34

    @b1k2q34

    Жыл бұрын

    I grew up in New Hampshire, and now live in Kentucky. Two beautiful parts of the country.

  • @davidjanson7982

    @davidjanson7982

    21 күн бұрын

    LoL

  • @sandy89107
    @sandy891073 жыл бұрын

    A town with no ppl. Perfect place to call home 😁

  • @danalynch8889

    @danalynch8889

    3 жыл бұрын

    I thought the same thing. I wouldn't mind living there.

  • @louiseegenlauf5507

    @louiseegenlauf5507

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@danalynch8889 we need to check in the place called Uniontown Pennsylvania it's in Fayette county too I was born and raised in there I wish we'd never moved from there when I was about 9:00 my dad died and my mother moved wish we would have stayed but this is the first time I've heard this town would love to visit there to see what it's all about

  • @autumnortiz6782

    @autumnortiz6782

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@davebryant8050 well you told it like it is

  • @davidjanson7982

    @davidjanson7982

    21 күн бұрын

    LoL

  • @davidjanson7982

    @davidjanson7982

    21 күн бұрын

    @@louiseegenlauf5507 LoL

  • @larrygodbold3017
    @larrygodbold30173 жыл бұрын

    It is nice to see the lack of broken windows and graffiti .

  • @brianmatthews4149

    @brianmatthews4149

    3 жыл бұрын

    Amazing.

  • @SJM6791

    @SJM6791

    3 жыл бұрын

    Give it time.

  • @GAMarine137

    @GAMarine137

    3 жыл бұрын

    Must not have many dems living there

  • @williamm374

    @williamm374

    3 жыл бұрын

    Good hard working people who care about their little town.

  • @JeffTY77450

    @JeffTY77450

    3 жыл бұрын

    That would change if Antifa or BLM ever decided to stage a “protest” there. Assaulting people and destroying property doesn’t advance their cause-not sure what Antifa’s cause is-but that doesn’t seem to have occurred to them.

  • @20somthingdrifter11
    @20somthingdrifter113 жыл бұрын

    The reality is work from home, and the Advent of easily accessible high-speed internet anywhere, could turn these ghost towns back into thriving towns, after all if you're no longer tied to a particular area for work you can choose to live wherever you want, why spend a ton of money to live in a shoebox in a large city, when you can move to a little bit more rural area and have so much more.

  • @jameslanning8405

    @jameslanning8405

    3 жыл бұрын

    These towns were brought into existence, because the people there worked. They dug coal or some other element from the ground. There was no internet, no home computers. Hell, maybe no TV, now running water or toilet! Maybe a light bulb or two. Work from home? Doing what? That's a big city yuppy dream...

  • @20somthingdrifter11

    @20somthingdrifter11

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@jameslanning8405 Its actually a thing that has started to happen, people who can work from home leaving the cities and moving into some of these smaller dying towns, the property can be bought on the cheap, and even after renovations it still has all the old-timey charm that most young professionals wouldn't be able to afford in the city. Now that the COVID pandemic has forced businesses to let people work from home this trend could pick up, being that you now have a large percentage of the workforce who now only needs a reliable internet connection to work, Satellite internet is already quite fast and Starlink is already in the testing phase in the US.

  • @jillsmcfarland2001

    @jillsmcfarland2001

    3 жыл бұрын

    Agenda21-30 smart cities

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    I actually work from home most of the time in my "real job" so I can understand the appeal of being in a safer, slower place. I hadn't considered the thought of them paying wages based on local cost of living as Matthew Talas referred to, kind of a dirty way to operate.

  • @lindamaemullins5151

    @lindamaemullins5151

    3 жыл бұрын

    Ikr 👍❤️

  • @dannysgirl1549
    @dannysgirl15493 жыл бұрын

    At one time Thurmond was the only town in the US that could only be reached by train. There wasn’t a road to it. It’s a nice road trip if you’re in the area.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    I did not know that but after driving it doesnt surprise me so much, good info

  • @beverlybarnes3122

    @beverlybarnes3122

    3 жыл бұрын

    Remember the old show petticoat junction? You couldn't get to the hotel, Kate and her girls lived and owned. by a road. You had to ride the train. Just thought I'd throw that in.

  • @es5886
    @es58863 жыл бұрын

    The town is dead largely because it’s not able to be accessed by car. The Main Street that the buildings faced is no wider than a sidewalk, and with the rear of the buildings backing up tp a hill there’s nowhere to expand. It is a marvelous time capsule though of how towns looked in a time before automobiles. The train was right there, that’s all you needed.

  • @mattlf9120

    @mattlf9120

    3 жыл бұрын

    Can't get there by car? How'd this dude get his car there?

  • @natashafrancis8858

    @natashafrancis8858

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@mattlf9120 The only way in or out is that single lane railroad bridge you saw him drive across in the beginning. If he'd gone past the town there are 6 or 7 houses on a hill, and over that hill is another railroad track.

  • @MichelleJohnson-tg5lx

    @MichelleJohnson-tg5lx

    2 жыл бұрын

    Accessible By horse and Wagon? .

  • @susanprivate3551
    @susanprivate35513 жыл бұрын

    My dad was a telegraph operator at Thurmond in the early 50’s!!! We used to visit often in the 60-70’s...We just drove down there last summer with my 84 yr old mom!!! My cousins husband Bob Bailey was a extra in Matewan!!! LOVE my home state of West Virginia 💙💛

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    a telegraph operator, that is just about the coolest thing I have ever heard. I love old occupations like that.

  • @luisvilla799

    @luisvilla799

    3 жыл бұрын

    Wow!!! awesome story God bless!!!!

  • @lonniesmith6701

    @lonniesmith6701

    3 жыл бұрын

    Had some cousins that were extras in the movie also, I've spent many days in those mountains around that area, almost heaven.

  • @bobbiek2960

    @bobbiek2960

    2 жыл бұрын

    My grandparents lived in Minden WV, back in the 60’s. Some of my favorite memories.💗 Beautiful country and beautiful ppl. I remember my cousins would say “you talk funny”. Lol

  • @b1k2q34

    @b1k2q34

    Жыл бұрын

    @@bobbiek2960 I grew up in New Hampshire, but would go to see my mom's side of the family in Kentucky quite often as a child. My cousins always said we talked funny. And I remember thinking that everyone on television talks like me, not you. Lolol

  • @TheWabbit
    @TheWabbit3 жыл бұрын

    I could live there, perfect neighbors and beautiful countryside!

  • @artmchugh5644

    @artmchugh5644

    3 жыл бұрын

    Don't forget the sound of the river !!😎😎😎😎😄😄😄😄🍺🍺

  • @TheWabbit

    @TheWabbit

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@artmchugh5644 oh yeah! I'm sure plenty of frogs are around there singing at night! Its like a lullaby to me even at my age!

  • @joeschlotthauer840

    @joeschlotthauer840

    3 жыл бұрын

    I was thinking the same thing, looks amazing to me...

  • @richardwicks4190

    @richardwicks4190

    3 жыл бұрын

    Better find out if the neighbors view you similarly before making any moves.

  • @joeschlotthauer840

    @joeschlotthauer840

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@richardwicks4190 Are you insinuating that the people there are crazy...

  • @turtlecrawford6468
    @turtlecrawford64683 жыл бұрын

    I remember going there as a kid to walk the tracks and fish with my dad and they were filming the matewan movie.

  • @williamh.jarvis6795

    @williamh.jarvis6795

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes! I watched this movie 🎥, produced byJohn Sayles! It is excellent! My VHS copy probably needs to be replaced with a digital version of it, in some format.

  • @IAm-NotHear
    @IAm-NotHear3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for making this video. My California eyes are always stunned by the beauty of Appalachia.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    thanks for watching all the way across the country, Daniel

  • @mastrtonberry2

    @mastrtonberry2

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're welcome to come visit. Just leave the west coast politics at the door.

  • @IAm-NotHear

    @IAm-NotHear

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@mastrtonberry2 I know I'm welcome to visit. I'm American. Born and raised.

  • @rockycoyote
    @rockycoyote3 жыл бұрын

    Somebody buying the town is a good idea. An outdoor outfitter could put in a kayak rental, hotel & restaurant and send folks off in the river and give them a ride back.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    It would be an amazing resort for that type of activity

  • @californigirl

    @californigirl

    3 жыл бұрын

    The national park system, according to "'da googles" owns and preserves about 80% of Thurmond WV. The McCune clan IS (at least back in 2016) interested in attracting new folk though.

  • @Biker65

    @Biker65

    3 жыл бұрын

    Turn it into a haunted town for Halloween

  • @sillililli01

    @sillililli01

    3 жыл бұрын

    @Joseph Bien I'm a business owner and I hear you, I would only invest in an area that was conservative. I stay away from cities, as they are too liberal for me.

  • @arcticfox5118

    @arcticfox5118

    3 жыл бұрын

    With the train access if you restored the side parking (i.e for the station rather then just for the cargo trains) tracks and got a classic passenger coach and/or old steam engine mockup on a modern electric or diesel train and you could sell daily rides upto the place from someplace convineint nearby as an experince. Throw a small classic restored cargo coach on to run your towns daily supplies up and you eliminate the need for large trucks. Do rentals as someone else suggested and convert a few abandoned buildings into luxury restraunts and hotels and put down some trails and a nice park maybe a few cabins at the trail end accessable by carrage or horse with a place to rent them nearby and this would make a nice little holiday spot. Wouldn't cost too much in terms of this kinda thing either. Maybe 150-200 million total to renovate the whole town, advertise it and market it.

  • @ashleyhockenberry2187
    @ashleyhockenberry21873 жыл бұрын

    Excellent ! My home state - Almost Heaven !

  • @marcfournier823
    @marcfournier8233 жыл бұрын

    Great studio and maker spaces. Alternatively a great place to hunker down after the apocalypse.

  • @joeapicelli8367
    @joeapicelli83673 жыл бұрын

    Looks like a great place for me. Not much for socializing lol.

  • @gaius_enceladus
    @gaius_enceladus3 жыл бұрын

    **Beautiful** place! I can see myself in a small cottage there - all cosy with a roaring fire going in the lounge with the snow piled up outside and the wind sighing through the trees! Wonderful!

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Now that sounds pretty amazing

  • @richardevans9003

    @richardevans9003

    Жыл бұрын

    At 7:30 you'll see a set of crossing lights on the far left. The road over the bridge (on the right) crosses the tracks at those crossing lights and then climbs up steeply behind the banking buildings and there ARE houses up there. They look seasonal, but still quite live-able.

  • @kennolte5801
    @kennolte58013 жыл бұрын

    Truly sad to see a place like that deserted. It's a beautiful area. It looks like there was some work going on in one of those buildings. We can only hope it is preserved for future generations.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    I think the state may be keeping some of it up. I sure hope so anyway.

  • @myd0gr3x

    @myd0gr3x

    Жыл бұрын

    preserved for future generations? preserved by who (master) for who (slave)... the real shame is that some bank holds the land and people are only permitted to visit... try to squat or even purchase any of that land and you'll quickly find out who is master and who is slave... that land sitting abandoned should be a clue of who can own and who can't own...

  • @marclayne9261
    @marclayne92613 жыл бұрын

    I passed thru here, in 1994, on a Amtrak train, from Clearwater FL, to Hamilton, OH.....a local scholar and teacher, gave us a lecture, on the New River Gorge.....as we passed under that great bridge....Scot-Irish, ancestors since 1740s, Virginia/Kentucky....I learned more on this train trip, than on any Interstate Highway...

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    That sounds like a great time

  • @thehammer6675
    @thehammer66753 жыл бұрын

    I like it. I'll bet theres a little cabin for cheap up in the hills somewhere. I could move there and elect myself mayor, sheriff, and whatever else I wanted to be.

  • @youwillgetbanned
    @youwillgetbanned2 жыл бұрын

    Love this part WV, Fayette, Summers, and Raleigh county. Family is from Oak Hill. Grandma was born and raised in a 2 bedroom tin roof shack with 12 siblings with no indoor plumbing. Great Grandmother pre-dates the civil war in that part of WV. I miss my WV Summers with my many cousins ,from fishing the New river,hunting,arrowhead hunting,ginseng digging, and dirt bike riding. Sad WV has been exploited for its natural beauty and resources for over 100 years. West " By Golly " Virginia !

  • @Gryphonisle
    @Gryphonisle3 жыл бұрын

    That is the most railroad centric railroad town I’ve ever seen. There are the tracks, there is the railroad bridge with a lane for cars, and there is the town practically built onto the tracks, but for a single lane for cars between the buildings and the tracks.

  • @filianablanxart8305

    @filianablanxart8305

    2 жыл бұрын

    Back in the day , it was only different by degree from lots of mining towns throughout the region of that part of Appalachia . In circa 1880- 1920 era when the mines were being developed , cars and trucks weren't yet a thing , nor road networks other than the scattered subsistence homesteaders and farmers driving their wagons to town periodically . Totally incapable of supporting the needs of the populations needed to work the mines and related infrastructure . Just in the same gorge there were a dozen or more towns likewise built on the narrow strip of level- ish land along the river , and served by rail . What was different about Thurmond was that it continued to hang on after the rest were all abandoned shortly after each respective mine closed .

  • @Gryphonisle

    @Gryphonisle

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@filianablanxart8305 Thanks!

  • @DrFrankensteam
    @DrFrankensteam3 жыл бұрын

    I could live in a place like that.

  • @Paulie1232

    @Paulie1232

    3 жыл бұрын

    Then go....

  • @93greenstrat
    @93greenstrat3 жыл бұрын

    If not for the C&O Railway, Thurmond would have been long forgotten.

  • @madamountaineer2459
    @madamountaineer24593 жыл бұрын

    Thurmond is an awesome place. I spent a lot of winter days in that area -- it's a really laid back place in the wintertime. Summer usually brings a lot more hobbiests, especially rafters. Stonecliff down the road is really popular. I never knew across from the depot was where the Dunglenn used to be. Fascinating! The creek going into Thurmond is awesome fishing! If you're ever there in early spring after they stock the waters, you'll have a great time catching fish all day. Behind the tracks up the hill is some residential places. There used to be a house at the split but last time I was there I noticed it was grown over. The population also went down. Fun fact! Thurmond is still incorporated and everyone that lives in the town is on the city council ^^

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great info, thanks so much. I wondered about the fishing while I was there, looked like it might be a good spot. I dont think I've been in the summer for some reason but it sounds like I really need to check it out then too.

  • @franciecrist991

    @franciecrist991

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@realappalachia if you're here during the summer and want to run the river hit me up! I can probably hook you up with a private trip with one of THE BEST guides, we always have a blast

  • @rupe53

    @rupe53

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@realappalachia ... if so few people live in an incorporated town it makes me wonder how things get taken care of with such a low tax base. Who plows the streets, fixes potholes, etc? Obviously not even enough people to support a volunteer fire dept.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@rupe53 I wondered the same thing. I know the state runs a lot of it or at least maintains the structures

  • @lightning9279

    @lightning9279

    Жыл бұрын

    @@realappalachia It's been deemed a historical area. That means we all pay for it with higher taxes. The residents don't. There is not enough of them to foot the bill.

  • @douglasstewart1380
    @douglasstewart13802 жыл бұрын

    Such a wonderful piece of history. I'm going to have to put a visit to Thurmond, WV on my bucket list.

  • @timmeadows5473
    @timmeadows54733 жыл бұрын

    The movie I believe was Matewan not mate one I caught that 👍 James Earl Jones played in but anyways nice scenic views. Movie came out in 1987.

  • @shyamdevadas6099
    @shyamdevadas60993 жыл бұрын

    Thurmond is like so many quaint little towns in WV that would be wonderful to live in. I first bought land there starting 20 years ago. (I eventually owned three properties in two counties.) Sadly, I lay the blame for the decline at the feet of the state's leaders - both political and business. Instead of biting the bullet and transitioning to a modern information-based economy, they recklessly relied on the mining industry. Now, it's essentially too late to do anything, now that people and businesses have fled. The fact that these deserted towns are still so beautiful and unvandalized is evidence that the people there are ethical and hardworking. I just wish that they were more open to change.

  • @buck546
    @buck5463 жыл бұрын

    I love my home state of WV. Sadly she is like a victim of a bad love story used by the rich companies and after they took all she had to offer they left her used and abused. You can still clearly see her scars.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    solid analogy there

  • @allen7585

    @allen7585

    3 жыл бұрын

    Perfect way to summarize my feelings of WV as well.

  • @rm9338

    @rm9338

    3 жыл бұрын

    Yes that’s the American way , take it all and walk away .

  • @ashleyratliff7919

    @ashleyratliff7919

    3 жыл бұрын

    Real Appalachia with Shane Simmons has

  • @marylinbelcher9918

    @marylinbelcher9918

    3 жыл бұрын

    Most companies were out of country. Canada. I grew up in Delbarton which originally was named Adananac which is Canada spelled backwards. Much of the mineral rights wre/are owned by Canadian companies

  • @greyjay9202
    @greyjay92023 жыл бұрын

    The sound of the river ... very peaceful.

  • @snider5767
    @snider57672 жыл бұрын

    We were there this past summer. A really cool place. A must see if anyone is in the area. We also walked up the roadway to the houses above the town. There are many abandoned homes, a couple homes that are lived in and a church. You can actually drive up there in a car. Really worth seeing. Thanks again for what you do.

  • @melissaszuch1560
    @melissaszuch15603 жыл бұрын

    My husband's family is from these parts. Thank you again. Lots of history here

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    You're absolutely right, history on virtually every corner. Thanks for watching.

  • @jamesharrison6201
    @jamesharrison62013 жыл бұрын

    Sounds like my kind of town

  • @esc4p3d
    @esc4p3d3 жыл бұрын

    I go there often, like today, my grandfather worked as a brake man @ Thurmond, Dunlop Creek That empties in to New river there is where he fell to his death from a small bridge that crosses it. My father was only 16 months old @ the time.

  • @selmazopinion
    @selmazopinion3 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful and sad at the same time. Thank you for showing this.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm glad you enjoyed it. It feels exactly as you describe being there

  • @jeffa3596
    @jeffa35963 жыл бұрын

    Wow, when I was a child I stayed at the "Bankers Club" a hotel in Thurmond. It was the old bank. This was a couple of years before the movie was made. Great white water rafting.

  • @g24thinf
    @g24thinf2 жыл бұрын

    The Dun Glen had, according to Ripley, the longest running poker game in history. Played continuously for something like 14 years. A body was found floating in the river one time behind the hotel and when fished out was found to have 500 bucks and a pistol in his pockets. The Sheriff promptly fined the dead man 500 bucks for carrying a concealed weapon and pocketed the money.

  • @charleshughbryan5603
    @charleshughbryan56032 жыл бұрын

    Great video ! I've been watching your channel for awhile and getting to know my birth place. I was born in Beckley , WVA in 1947 at my Grandfather's house but my parents moved away before I was two. My Grandpa died not long after we moved and so much history was lost. I grew up in the Midwest and promised my Grandmother I'd take her back when I got my license. Well, life happens and I took her ,my Mom, and wife and children back after I came home from Viet- Nam. Beautiful country but so many unanswered question about my family. Grandma introduced my to family and friends there but I couldn't stay long as the Marines sent me to college to be a mechanical engineer and I had to go back for the fall semester. Your videos are a glimpse of my past and I enjoy them very much. Thanks Keep those videos coming.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    2 жыл бұрын

    That’s awesome, Charles, so glad the videos speak to you and your history

  • @babydriver8134
    @babydriver81343 жыл бұрын

    I Love to explore too, just like you. History is cool.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    I subscribed to your channel, looks like you live in a cool part of the world too

  • @walterlangston4253
    @walterlangston42533 жыл бұрын

    if you hike the south side juction trail cross the river from thurmond about 2 miles you come to the coal camp of rush run then red ash lots of coke ovens to see there I got a video of the red ash coke ovens

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    is that stuff still there? I would love to see that. There's a community near my hometown called Red Ash and my popaw worked for a mine there

  • @robinfrey1696
    @robinfrey16963 жыл бұрын

    I lived in a tent in Fayetteville last summer and visited Thurmond often. It's really nice, but there are about 20 of these towns along the river and some are even cooler.

  • @williamturner1517
    @williamturner15173 жыл бұрын

    WAIT! WAIT!! West Virginia is ALMOST HEAVEN!!

  • @Electra225
    @Electra2252 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for another enjoyable video of Thurmond, WV. I will definitely add this to my places to stop when I get to visit, hopefully, in the very near future.

  • @ES-pc8kf
    @ES-pc8kf2 жыл бұрын

    I rafted the nearby Upper Gauley River which has some of the best rafting in THE WORLD 🌎 It was classified as the 6th best technical river in world for rafting. Great experience!! It was Wild and Wonderful rafting over a ten foot high waterfall.

  • @TheGreatOutdoors
    @TheGreatOutdoors2 жыл бұрын

    Amazing. And fascinating comments!

  • @davidbell9130
    @davidbell91303 жыл бұрын

    another interesting video and thanks for sharing

  • @codythedog61
    @codythedog612 жыл бұрын

    HI AGAIN FROM DOWN UNDER, LOVE THESE VIDS MATE. AWESOME.

  • @fazapops
    @fazapops3 жыл бұрын

    Incredibly interesting... thank you for posting this!

  • @mountainfolk2000
    @mountainfolk20003 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Shane, another great video.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Jane

  • @lavendersunday8712
    @lavendersunday87123 жыл бұрын

    I enjoyed your video. Thanks for sharing.

  • @tthinker9897
    @tthinker98973 жыл бұрын

    Would have liked to see some of the houses, surely there were houses - not everyone could live in a hotel or bank building. This small deserted town is both beautiful and tragic; I do hope that people decide to live there again. Me personally, I need to have a movie theater within a half hour drive, even though it's been over 2 years since I have gone to a movie. Thanks for the nostalgia.

  • @filianablanxart8305

    @filianablanxart8305

    2 жыл бұрын

    There are / were houses , and streets on the hillside above the business district . 20- ish years ago quite a few were still occupied . There were/ are roads leading from the backside of the town thru the hills . But in the context of originally being mid 1800's wagon roads . By modern standards they would be closer to Jeep trails than modern highways . That said , the railroad instantly became the predominant transportation mode . It was exponentially faster , easier , and more efficient than local roads .

  • @tthinker9897

    @tthinker9897

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@filianablanxart8305 thank you so much! I remember watching the video of exploring this town. You must have lived or traveled there - thank you again for filling in the blanks.

  • @filianablanxart8305

    @filianablanxart8305

    2 жыл бұрын

    @@tthinker9897 I travelled there , at the same era that I was deeply looking into the history of the area , and the larger regions around there ,and it stuck with me . This video is reminding me I'm overdue to spend some time in Thurmond again .

  • @michaelmacdonell4834
    @michaelmacdonell48343 жыл бұрын

    There's a county in England called Sussex. It gfot divided a few decades ago, and I lived on what is now the border. The countryside, geology, trees - this film was a trip right back in time. Thank you.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    that is great, glad it helped to bring that back for you

  • @allen7585
    @allen75853 жыл бұрын

    This is happening all over West Virginia. Look into Grafton. It use to be known as the city that never slept. It was the first stop of the trains from DC after going through insanely long train rides west through the Allegheny mountains. People wanted to get off and walk, stretch, and eat restaurant food. Vice versa, people going to Dc would stop in Grafton before continuing on the long, long trip through the mountains to DC. Now it’s slowly being abandoned. The old train depot is beautiful but falling to pieces.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    very sorry to hear that, I was in Grafton around 25 years ago for a bank I worked for and it sounds like it has really fallen on hard times.

  • @blossums7
    @blossums72 жыл бұрын

    Really Enjoy your videos. Thank you.

  • @oughtssought1198
    @oughtssought11983 жыл бұрын

    some of the Amtrak conductors tell some of the tale of Thurmond as the train approaches town Thanks for this chance to look around a bit with out getting out & catching the next day's train

  • @danalynch8889
    @danalynch88893 жыл бұрын

    I discovered Thurmond while on one of my trips to West Virginia while visiting my Uncle. I would take my little second cousin and drive around West Virginia. I would drive the back roads.

  • @freestonew
    @freestonew3 жыл бұрын

    I noticed as you drove by the "suburbs" at the edge of town that on the left were at least two areas where I saw buildings and a house with a car or truck parked and the properties look "used". Probably there are more people here than it looks as many would live back in hollows or back off of the road. If they have jobs, they must drive a few miles then buy supplies in that workplace town. Yes, no Grafitti or broken windows. Whenever I see graffiti that is of just a name tag, I read "dispair" between the lines!

  • @foltzenlogel

    @foltzenlogel

    3 жыл бұрын

    In 2019 the town had a population of 6

  • @filianablanxart8305

    @filianablanxart8305

    2 жыл бұрын

    1980 population 67 , 1990 37 . Far from the boom years , but far more people than today . I'd have to look up the details , but as I recall in general terms : Since the 1990's the NPS long term plan is for a non- populated historical site . Pre existing residents could stay , but when they sell or pass away , the Park Service gets the property .

  • @LasVegas68
    @LasVegas683 жыл бұрын

    Nice video. I used to have family around Thurmond when I was a kid. Haven't been back so I appreciate your video.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it, thank you

  • @TheLoadedGoat1963
    @TheLoadedGoat19633 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for another great video Shane

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Alicia

  • @spencerbass7142
    @spencerbass71423 жыл бұрын

    That is really neat. I think it would be a great place to live, very pretty.

  • @edholohan
    @edholohan2 жыл бұрын

    Really enjoyed this. Thanks!

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Ed

  • @CRAIGVY
    @CRAIGVY3 жыл бұрын

    very Kool, thank you for your time taken to share , nothing beats just taking rides in the car off the highway, long back roads lead to kool places , Peace an Blessings Craig

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Craig

  • @palco22
    @palco223 жыл бұрын

    Very interesting. It's all history to me and I can't get enough !......Thanks for this tidbit of a time forgotten.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    that is awesome, thanks so much

  • @1960gambit
    @1960gambit3 жыл бұрын

    Been to Thurmond and Saint Elmo, Colorado.

  • @bendigr
    @bendigr3 жыл бұрын

    i love driving back roads like these.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    they really are great to escape for a few minutes of peace

  • @stevenlemans9000
    @stevenlemans90002 жыл бұрын

    Keep on Rock'n Buddy!

  • @dwhallon21
    @dwhallon213 жыл бұрын

    Wow, what a find. That is still a pretty little town tucked away in beautiful country. Someplace this Hoosier could call home. Thank u for sharing

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it

  • @alwaysbepreparedwithjeff3245
    @alwaysbepreparedwithjeff32453 жыл бұрын

    Thanks again for Sharing

  • @firecrackerhoot
    @firecrackerhoot2 жыл бұрын

    Really like these videos

  • @markminter3960
    @markminter39603 жыл бұрын

    Thanks again for such a good job. On these videos.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you like them!

  • @a.c.993
    @a.c.9932 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful. :)

  • @ohmeowzer1
    @ohmeowzer12 жыл бұрын

    Love your videos getting caught up

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much

  • @urkoolUncle
    @urkoolUncle3 жыл бұрын

    Enjoy your videos, Shane.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you

  • @richarddrum9970
    @richarddrum99703 жыл бұрын

    Been through Thurmond by train a few times and in the early nineties was there helping National Park service with some design work for the station and its riverbank. Walked across the bridge over the New River hoping that a train didn’t cross at the same time, very neat place to visit.

  • @lyric8529
    @lyric85293 жыл бұрын

    Thank you. 💙

  • @lisamiller2710
    @lisamiller27102 жыл бұрын

    I 💕 love watching haunted places

  • @robertsilva8097
    @robertsilva80973 жыл бұрын

    Thank you for the Great video

  • @firepatriot42
    @firepatriot423 жыл бұрын

    Used have a train bridge that (drove across it frequently) connected one of the town's nearby me. Was demolished about 10+ yrs ago to make way for the new 2 lane 500 yrd up the river.

  • @carolyndavis7476
    @carolyndavis74763 жыл бұрын

    Wow!! A beautiful scenic drive but on the other hand, sort of spooky u being the only person around. It is a shame that a town that was once bustling has wound up like this. Thanks for the ride!!

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for riding along with me. You described exactly how it feels in person too, beautiful but so alone that it is unnerving

  • @carolyndavis7476

    @carolyndavis7476

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@realappalachia Yes...it unnerved me just watching u there in regretfully a very desolate place. Stay safe!!

  • @virginiawilliams7282
    @virginiawilliams72822 жыл бұрын

    Such a shame you didn't capture some of the original old & beautiful homes. Also the scenery around the area & the river. But still a good video

  • @MrFgarcia140
    @MrFgarcia1403 жыл бұрын

    Nice video, thank you

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    glad you enjoyed it, thank you

  • @jfk5230
    @jfk52303 жыл бұрын

    Nice work Mr

  • @pwb0511
    @pwb05113 жыл бұрын

    Cool video, I went to college in wv, miss the place

  • @Suneed1997
    @Suneed19973 жыл бұрын

    These videos are insane to me haha I’m definitely a city person lol can’t believe there are people living at places like this! Very cool

  • @johnb8637
    @johnb86373 жыл бұрын

    We used to go hiking there back in the early 2010's. Havent been there in a few years now, but loved that area. TONS of hiking trails around there. Def more than you can do in a day. Its so quiet and peaceful there. We would visit in late March usually before all the drunk white water rafters came down the New River.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    I'm always surprised at how much there truly is to do around there. Great place to visit.

  • @freestonew

    @freestonew

    3 жыл бұрын

    drunk, you say?! why is it so many "adventuring people must be drunk in order to "appreciate" the experience? Maybe this is due to their so many inhibitions installed by society and childhood that they would not enjoy the trip otherwise!

  • @larryprobus3263
    @larryprobus32633 жыл бұрын

    Kool video n Great history lesson !! TY sir !!!

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it

  • @thepitpatrol
    @thepitpatrol3 жыл бұрын

    What a gorgeous area.

  • @logicmilkbone
    @logicmilkbone3 жыл бұрын

    Another great video 👍

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much

  • @nettiemarie2556
    @nettiemarie25563 жыл бұрын

    Neat history, tyfs with us.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it, thank you

  • @LisaNC832
    @LisaNC8323 жыл бұрын

    Cool place! Great video👍

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    thank you, glad you enjoyed it, Lisa :)

  • @artcoffey
    @artcoffey3 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant, thank you for sharing...

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    thank you, Martin

  • @rogerhadley2763
    @rogerhadley27633 жыл бұрын

    what a great vidio

  • @robertsilva8097
    @robertsilva80973 жыл бұрын

    Keep up the Great work

  • @jdallison7061
    @jdallison70612 жыл бұрын

    Grew up about 1 1/2 hours away been there multiple times. Been whitewater rafting starting at the bridge six or eight times good times fun and exciting trip.

  • @rubensalcido5606
    @rubensalcido56063 жыл бұрын

    Nice scenic drive and interesting place of histort!

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    thank you, Ruben

  • @geekhillbilly2636
    @geekhillbilly26363 жыл бұрын

    Looks a Lot like Hardburly,Kentucky .BTW I live in Hardburly to this day.The Home scenes of the Movie "Next Of Kin" was filmed here

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    I just read that about Next of Kin after someone else mentioned the movie. I have never been to Hardburly, is there a lot of the camp left these days? I would like to come check it out someday.

  • @steveashworth6707
    @steveashworth67073 жыл бұрын

    Great video!, it's a part of history!.

  • @realappalachia

    @realappalachia

    3 жыл бұрын

    Glad you enjoyed it

  • @paranormalshadowssociety7402
    @paranormalshadowssociety74023 жыл бұрын

    What a cool little place!

  • @mikemorris4916
    @mikemorris49163 жыл бұрын

    I'm have family up the mountain ifnu keep going up the hill and also if you turn right befor the big bridge follow it down to the swimming holes and sandbar and there a rafting place on left hand side

  • @Zathrian451
    @Zathrian4512 жыл бұрын

    The whole State of WV is Awesome!!!! Thanks for Sharing

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