West Virginia, known for its rugged Appalachian terrain and deep coal mining heritage, is home to numerous lost towns—communities that once thrived but have since faded from existence. These ghost towns tell stories of industrial booms and busts, natural disasters, and man-made transformations. Some were abandoned as coal mines shut down, while others were swallowed by reservoirs or left to decay as industries vanished.

This article explores some of the most intriguing lost towns of West Virginia, including abandoned coal camps, sunken villages beneath lakes, and forsaken railroad settlements. Each place offers a glimpse into the past, revealing the human lives and economic forces that once shaped them.

1. Thurmond: The Forgotten Railroad Boomtown

The Rise of Thurmond

Once a bustling railroad town along the New River, Thurmond was a key hub for the Chesapeake & Ohio Railway in the early 20th century. At its peak in the 1910s and 1920s, the town boasted a grand hotel, banks, saloons, and numerous businesses catering to coal miners and railroad workers. Thurmond was a major stop where trains refueled, and thousands of tons of coal passed through daily.

Decline and Abandonment

The rise of diesel locomotives, coupled with the decline of coal mining, led to Thurmond’s downfall. As the railroad industry changed, fewer trains stopped there, and businesses began to close. By the 1950s, the town’s population had dwindled dramatically. Today, only a handful of residents remain, and most of the original buildings stand as preserved relics within the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve.

Visiting Today

The National Park Service maintains Thurmond as a historic site. Visitors can walk through the nearly empty streets, see the abandoned bank and hotel, and imagine the bustling town it once was.

2. Nuttallburg: The Ghost of a Coal Empire

The Boom of the Coal Era

Located in the New River Gorge, Nuttallburg was one of the earliest coal mining operations in West Virginia. The town was founded by John Nuttall in the 1870s and was later leased by Henry Ford in the 1920s as part of his ambitious effort to control coal production for his automotive empire.

Technological Advances and Decline

Ford modernized the town’s mining infrastructure, including a long coal conveyor system. However, despite these advancements, Ford eventually sold his lease, and the town’s fortunes declined. By the mid-20th century, the mines shut down, and Nuttallburg was abandoned.

What Remains Today

Today, visitors to Nuttallburg can explore its well-preserved mining structures, including the massive coal conveyor and tipple. The town stands as a haunting reminder of West Virginia’s deep coal mining roots.

3. Kaymoor: A Hidden Mining Community

A Thriving Mining Town

Established in the late 19th century, Kaymoor was a coal town that thrived well into the early 20th century. At its height, it had over 800 residents, a school, churches, and a company store. The coal mine was a major operation, producing millions of tons of coal.

Closure and Abandonment

As with many coal towns, mechanization and economic shifts led to Kaymoor’s decline. By the 1950s, the mine shut down, and the town was gradually abandoned.

Kaymoor Today

Kaymoor is now part of the New River Gorge National Park, and visitors can hike to the remains of the mining complex, including old buildings, mine entrances, and rusted machinery. The Kaymoor Miners Trail offers a challenging but rewarding hike into the past.

4. Gad and the Towns Beneath Summersville Lake

The Town of Gad and Its Disappearance

Gad, along with several smaller communities, was a farming town located in Nicholas County. In the 1960s, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers constructed Summersville Lake as part of a flood control project on the Gauley River. As a result, the town of Gad was submerged beneath the lake’s waters.

Remnants Beneath the Surface

Though the town is gone, some remnants of roads and structures remain beneath the lake. Scuba divers have explored parts of the submerged ruins, adding to the town’s legend.

Modern-Day Summersville Lake

Summersville Lake is now a popular recreation area, attracting boaters, fishermen, and divers. The waters that covered Gad now serve as a reminder of the sacrifices made for flood control.

5. Sewell: The Forgotten Iron Furnace Town

Sewell’s Industrial Beginnings

Sewell, located along the New River, was founded as an iron furnace town before transitioning to a coal operation. The town had a significant coke production facility, processing coal into coke for use in steel mills.

A Town Lost to Time

Once a lively industrial town, Sewell’s fortunes faded as demand for coke declined. By the mid-20th century, the population had dwindled, and the town was abandoned.

What’s Left Today

Visitors to Sewell can still see remnants of the coke ovens and foundations of old buildings. It’s a fascinating glimpse into a forgotten industry.

6. Stotesbury: A Model Company Town That Vanished

A Prosperous Coal Town

Stotesbury was built as a model company town by the E.C. Friede Coal Company in the early 1900s. It had schools, a theater, churches, and a well-organized layout. The town thrived for decades, offering stable employment to miners.

Collapse of the Coal Industry

As coal demand declined, Stotesbury’s mines closed, and its population dwindled. By the 1980s, most residents had left, and the town was largely abandoned.

Traces of the Past

Some old buildings and foundations still stand, though nature has reclaimed much of the town. It remains a poignant symbol of West Virginia’s coal-driven past.

7. Volcano: West Virginia’s Oil Boomtown

An Unusual Boomtown

While most ghost towns in West Virginia are linked to coal, Volcano was an oil town. In the 1860s and 1870s, Volcano experienced an oil boom, with wells dotting the landscape.

Destruction and Decline

A massive fire in 1879 destroyed much of the town, and its economy never recovered. As oil production declined, Volcano was abandoned.

Today’s Ruins

Few structures remain, but visitors can still find stone foundations and traces of the town’s oil industry past.

Conclusion: Echoes of the Past

The lost towns of West Virginia reflect the state’s history of industry, economic shifts, and environmental changes. While some, like Thurmond and Nuttallburg, remain as preserved historic sites, others, like Gad, are entirely submerged beneath lakes. Each of these ghost towns tells a story of hard work, hope, and inevitable decline.

For those who love history, adventure, and exploring the forgotten, West Virginia’s lost towns offer a fascinating journey into a past that still lingers in the mountains and valleys of Appalachia.