Monochrome Monday; Postmaster, Thurmond, West Virginia

Postmaster, Thurmond, West Virginia.  Last count shows 5 people still living here. I don't suspect his
days are very busy.  (click to enlarge)
Pentax 6X7; 90mm f/2.8 lens; Tri-X film

Thurmond, West Virginia used to be quite a town.  It is situated on the Chesapeake and Ohio Railroad (now CSX) mainline along the New River really out in the middle of nowhere.  Until 1921 the railroad was the only way in and out of town.  Thurmond had two banks and a resort, despite being tiny. However, by the 1950s it was pretty much a ghost town.  The most recent data has 5 people still living in Thurmond.  It is the smallest town in West Virginia. 

Thurmond's post office was established in 1888 and closed in 1985.  As I was walking past the post office on my way to what was the 'downtown', the postmaster was standing in this manner.  I found it an interesting pose.  I stopped and made a photograph of him in the doorway.  He didn't say a word and neither did I.  However, I smiled and gave him a thumbs up sign.  The time frame was the mid-1980s .  I have other photographs of Thurmond which I will post in the future.  

Thurmond is now owned by the National Park Service as part of the New River Gorge National Park.  The old railroad station, refurbished in 1995, still stands.  I found Thurmond a very interesting visit and can recommend it if you take the time to make the drive.

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Thanks for looking. Enjoy!  

Dennis A. Mook  

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