Ghost towns are like echoes from the past. Without people, a town seems to lose its purpose somehow. Technically, this is not entirely true for Thurmond, as there are still five people living there, somewhere. But from the bird's eye view, the story of this little empty little town seems quite grim.
Established in 1900, Thurmond, West Virginia was once a major stop along the Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad line. The tracks have remained, and the train still passes through, except now, no one waits at the station to board.
The buildings of this small town have been more or less maintained, but her quiet, cavernous structures carry only silence.
The faded paint of some structures serve as a reminder that in many cases, a building will often outlast the people who inhabit it, holding only memories.
Every so often, a train rumbles through Thurmond, as the lines are still active. But the sudden explosion of noise makes the silence all the more acute once it has faded away.
The five people who still live there, whoever they are, must enjoy a peace and quiet rarely experienced in most modern cities. But one can't help but wonder if the silence becomes ominous, and if a time will come when the population of Thurmond drops to zero.
Thurmond still receives many visitors a year, and the station has been turned into a museum of sorts, telling a story of a town that was once full of life but is now haunted by memories.
Have you never been to Thurmond? Feel free to comment below and tell us about your visit.
To learn more about West Virginia, check out this abandoned castle in Wheeling.
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