Nestled in the heart of the New River Gorge, the town of Thurmond, West Virginia, is a living testament to the golden age of railroads and coal mining. Central to this history is the Thurmond Railroad Bridge, a structure that has played a pivotal role in the town’s development and continues to be a significant landmark.

Thurmond’s story began in 1873 when Captain William D. Thurmond acquired 73 acres of land along the Chesapeake and Ohio Railway (C&O) mainline. This strategic location, coupled with the rich coalfields of Southern West Virginia, set the stage for Thurmond to become a bustling hub of activity. The town’s prosperity was closely tied to the completion of the Southside Junction railroad bridge in the late 1880s, which crossed the New River at the mouth of Dunloup Creek.

The original Thurmond Bridge, constructed in 1888-1889, was a truss bridge that facilitated the town’s growth by providing a critical link for coal transportation. This bridge was instrumental in establishing Thurmond as a chief railroad center on the C&O Railway mainline. By 1910, Thurmond was generating more revenue and freight tonnage than major cities like Cincinnati and Richmond combined.

Around 1908, the original bridge was washed away, necessitating the construction of a new bridge. The new Thurmond Railroad Bridge, built between 1915 and 1916, featured a combination of a truss and deck plate girder design. This new structure spanned approximately 840 feet, with the truss section crossing the main channel of the river and the longer deck girder section supported by concrete piers. The bridge also included a cantilevered one-lane automobile road, initially built as a walkway and later strengthened for vehicular use.

The Thurmond Bridge is significant not only for its engineering but also for its contribution to the Dunloup Branch Railroad and the Thurmond Historic District. It is a representative example of a skewed Warren through truss and deck plate girder railroad bridge with the uncommon feature of a cantilevered vehicular and pedestrian roadway. This unique design highlights the bridge’s dual role in supporting both rail and vehicular traffic, a necessity given Thurmond’s lack of traditional streets.

Thurmond’s decline began in the early 20th century with the advent of roads and the switch from steam to diesel locomotives. Major fires in 1922 and 1930 further devastated the town’s infrastructure. Despite these challenges, the Thurmond Bridge remained a vital link for the town’s remaining residents and visitors.

In recent years, efforts have been made to preserve this historic structure. The Federal Highways Administration, in cooperation with the West Virginia Division of Highways, has proposed a rehabilitation project to stabilize, strengthen, and repair the bridge. This project includes the addition of refuge bays to enhance pedestrian safety, ensuring that the bridge continues to serve its dual purpose while preserving its historical integrity.

Today, Thurmond is a ghost town, largely untouched by modern development, and serves as a poignant reminder of the past. The National Park Service has taken steps to preserve the town and its structures, including the Thurmond Depot, which now operates as a visitor center. The Thurmond Bridge remains a key feature of this historic landscape, symbolizing the town’s rich heritage and its enduring connection to the railroad industry.

The Thurmond Railroad Bridge stands as a testament to the town’s vibrant history and its pivotal role in the coal and rail industries. From its initial construction in the late 19th century to its ongoing preservation efforts, the bridge continues to be a significant landmark in West Virginia’s New River Gorge. Visitors to Thurmond can walk across this historic bridge and imagine the bustling activity that once defined this now quiet town.