The town of Thurmond is now owned by the National Park Service for the New River Gorge National River. The train depot was completely renovated in 1995 and now serves as a Park Service visitors center. During its heyday while coal mines were booming Thurmond was a prosperous town with a number of businesses for the C&O Railroad.
Thurmond was incorporated in 1900 and was a small town until a business agreement was made with the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad for a crossing at Dunloup Creek. Thurmond post office was established in 1888 and was still used until 1995 when it was discontinued.