THURMOND, WV (SWVO) – Deep in the New River Gorge lies Thurmond, West Virginia, a town often labeled a ghost town — though four residents still call it home.
Its story of survival, struggle, and resilience is now the subject of a new documentary project, Almost Ghost Town, from filmmaker and Putnam County native Jillian Carney Howell.
The film will chronicle both Thurmond’s rise as a booming railroad hub and its slow decline after the National Park Service (NPS) acquired most of its properties in the late 1980s.
Today, about 80 percent of the town is federally owned, and many buildings sit empty.
Earlier this year, the NPS announced plans to demolish 21 structures in Thurmond, a proposal that has sparked new debate over whether the town’s history can — or should — be preserved.
Howell said the film will not only explore the history of Thurmond but also the lived experiences of its remaining residents as they confront uncertainty about the town’s future.
The documentary is currently in production, and fundraising is underway through Seed&Spark, with a goal of raising $30,000 by September 8. As of now, the project is more than halfway to that goal.
Supporters can contribute directly through the crowdfunding site or purchase limited-edition merchandise in partnership with Mountain Mindful and artist Mason Beuhring, with proceeds benefiting the film.
Thurmond’s past is as compelling as its present.
Once a bustling railroad town founded in 1900, Thurmond housed railroad workers, coal miners, and their families. Its businesses thrived, and the Dun Glen Hotel across the river became infamous for rowdy gatherings.
In 1968, entrepreneur Jon Dragan moved to Thurmond and launched the first commercial whitewater rafting company in the state, helping to put the New River on the national map.
But as the coal economy shifted and federal buyout programs encouraged residents to leave, the population dwindled. By the late 1980s, the dream of turning Thurmond into a historic re-creation town had faded.
The last major blow came when the railroad’s engine house burned to the ground.
Today, with just four residents, the town has become both a curiosity for visitors and a flashpoint in conversations about Appalachia’s future.
Howell hopes the film will probe deeper questions: What is lost when historic structures are demolished? Who gets to tell the story of a community — government institutions or the people who lived there? And what lessons does Thurmond hold for other small towns across America facing decline?
The film will feature original music by West Virginia composer Steven Schumann, blending traditional Appalachian bluegrass with orchestral arrangements.
Howell’s all-Appalachian production team underscores her commitment to showcasing local voices and talent.
For Howell, who now works in Los Angeles with Walt Disney Animation Studios but remains deeply rooted in West Virginia, the film is both personal and purposeful.
The crowdfunding campaign and merchandise sales will determine how far Almost Ghost Town can go in capturing Thurmond’s story before more of it is lost to time.
For more information, visit the project’s fundraising page at seedandspark.com/fund/thurmonddoc or explore merchandise options through Mountain Mindful.
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