More Exploring at NERI

The original communication snafu that resulted in our RV site switched from Grandview to Burnwood and a part two. A long-term volunteer at Canyon Rim Visitor Center was scheduled to arrive at Burnwood on June 19. Uh oh! That meant that we were going to be “homeless.” We worked with the park on options and found a site at a city-owned campground in Beckley, West Virginia. NERI picked up the tab, and we moved into town on June 19. It wasn’t a big deal for us.

On our days off, we continued to explore more of the far-flung sites within the park. We always enjoy exploring the historic buildings in the Thurmond Historic District. Thurmond was a boomtown in the early 1900s because of the vast quantities of coal being shipped through there. It was a vibrant era of coal and railroads for Thurmond. The boom didn’t last long, however, and most of the businesses closed. The depot, which has been restored as a visitor center, as well as the remaining buildings evoke this important period in the history of the area.

While walking along Commercial Row, we ran into a couple who used to live in the town. They come back every year to visit, and it was fascinating to hear their stories of the “good old days” in Thurmond.

Thurmond Historic District

We also visited two other railroad towns along the New River. Prince was built by the two Prince brothers. Prince was not a coal town, however, and the general store that they established was the only independent store in the area. The store remained in business until 1984, and many items from the store are now in the park’s museum collection. The wood frame building remains.

The building in Prince that fascinated me the most, however, was Prince Station. Built in 1946 to replace an earlier depot, the structure is a fabulous example of Art Moderne style architecture. I had no idea that a building like this was in the park. Amtrak still stops at both Thurmond and Prince.

Just down the road from Prince is the town of Quinnimont, the first mining town in New River Gorge. Virtually nothing remains of the town, however. We did go searching for the Quinnimont Missionary Baptist Church, the first stop on the African-American Heritage Driving Tour. Established in 1880, it was one of the first African-American churches in the New River Gorge. 

Prince and Quinnimont

Near the end of our stay, we made our way to the south end of the park.  We had visited many of the historic sites at NERI.  Now, it was time for a visit to Sandstone Falls, the largest waterfall on the New River.

Sandstone Falls