Development Concept Plan/Interpretive Prospectus: Thurmond, New River Gorge National River, West Virginia

112 Pages·1992·5.1 MB·English

by  National Park Service

N
I 29.79/3: 42/9
'%
*
H~
e*
i & '*0<
A
\ZlC\&*
.MFHlOlldl
Development Concept Plan Interpretive Prospectus
/
RECOMMENDED:
Robert J. Shelley 1/23/92
Manager, Eastern Team, Denver Service Center Date
Joe L Kennedy 2/19/92
Superintendent, New River Gorge National River Date
APPROVED:
Joseph W. Gorrell 8/28/92
Acting Regional Director, Mid-Atlantic Region Date
Printed on Recycled Paper
Development Concept Plan Interpretive Prospectus
/
September 1992
Thurmond
NEW GORGE
RIVER
National River • West Virginia
United States Department of the Interior • National Park Service • Denver Service Center
Digitized by the Internet Archive
in 2012 with funding from
LYRASIS Members and Sloan Foundation
http://archive.org/details/developthurmondOOnati
SUMMARY
This Development Concept Plan / Development Concept Plan/Interpretive
Interpretive Prospectus describes actions Prospectus/Environmental Assessment,
to be taken for resource preservation, which presented three alternatives for
interpretation, and economic revitalization preserving and interpreting Thurmond:
in the town of Thurmond, West Virginia, a
small community in the northern portion of A - limited interpretation of railroad history
New River Gorge National River. Thurmond at the depot (the general management plan
has a significant history as one of the key proposal)
railroad centers for shipping coal, freight,
and passengers on the C&O Railroad B - historic period restoration and
during the late 19th and early 20th interpretation of the entire town
centuries. Although the town has declined
in recent decades, it retains much of its C - preservation of the town and
historic character and reflects the period of interpretation of its evolution over time.
its prominence. It also possesses the only
remaining major railroad resources within A fourth alternative (D), which would have
the national river. Compared to other areas involved emergency stabilization with no
in the park, the town has relatively easy interpretation, was included in the
automobile access from West Virginia document to describe the effects of taking
Route 25, is still on the mainline of the no action in the town.
C&O (now CSX) Railroad, and is served by
Amtrak. Following public and agency review of the
draft document, the Park Service evaluated
The 1982 General Management Plan for all review comments and selected
New River Gorge National River alternative C as the plan for future
recommended that resource preservation preservation, use, and development of
and visitor use in Thurmond be limited to Thurmond. The plan proposes to preserve
the depot, which would have housed a and interpret the town to illustrate its
small visitor facility and museum describing significance and its evolution as part of the
railroading, commerce, coal mining, and regional railroad network from 1873 to the
local culture. Subsequent documentation of present day. Historic railyard buildings and
the historical integrity and significance of settings will be used to explain the coal
Thurmond, acquisition of important cultural mining connection, the changes to the
resources in the commercial area of town, regional economy, and the effect of diesel
and strong public interest prompted the trains on the railroad industry in New River
consideration of other alternatives. The Gorge and beyond. As part of the plan,
National Park Service will preserve and historic buildings in the commercial area of
interpret the town's resources, protect the Thurmond will be adaptively used through
scenic and historic integrity of the area, lease or concession arrangement for visitor
and provide leasing or other arrangements services that will contribute to the
for the town's remaining commercial preservation of the town.
buildings. By encouraging visitation to the
area, the cultural heritage of the region will The plan includes completing preservation
provide economic opportunities to the town. treatments to protect all remaining
In November 1989 the Park Service structures in the railyard and commercial
published and circulated a draft areas; installing protective fencing in the
in
railyard to ensure visitor safety;
establishing interpretive programs and
media to reflect identified themes and
goals; improving the Thurmond-Minden
hiking trail and developing a new trail to
Cunard; improving the portion of Route 25
between Glen Jean and Stone Cliff (the
Thurmond access road); and developing
park operations support facilities and public
use areas at Southside Junction across the
river from Thurmond.
The National Park Service has selected a
plan that illustrates the town's evolution
over time because it will provide the widest
range of options for resource protection
and interpretation in the Thurmond area.
Because the plan will not limit restoration
and allowable uses to a narrow period of
the town's history, more aspects of the
New River Gorge railroading story and
Thurmond's lively history can be told and a
greater number of compatible activities can
take place in and around the town. Many of
the historic structures will be restored to
the time of their most prominent use. This
plan offers the best opportunity to preserve
the community and develop Thurmond as a
major destination within the national river.
IV
CONTENTS
Background
1
Purpose of and Need for the Plan 3
Planning Objectives 4
Planning Concerns 4
Description of the Environment 9
Cultural Resources 9
History 9
Description of Resources 10
Natural Resources 12
Visitor Use and Recreation 14
Existing Development 14
Landownership 14
Development Concept Plan 21
Plan Overview 23
Development Concept Plan 24
Design Considerations and Constraints 24
—
Thurmond The Plan 26
Land Protection 38
Commercial Uses 39
Interpretive Prospectus 41
Themes 43
Goals 43
Interpretive Media Prescription 44
Staffing 54
Research 54
Accessibility 54
Publications 55
Historic Furnishings 55
Subjects to be Interpreted at Thurmond 55
List of Products to be Provided by Harpers Ferry Center 56
Plan Implementation 57
Planning and Operational Requirements 59
Compliance 59
Staffing and Operations 59
Cost Estimates and Implementation Schedule 60
Estimated Total Development Costs (1992 dollars) 60
Staffing and Operations 64
Implementation Schedule 66
Development Priorities 66
Appendixes 67
Appendix A: Planning Direction 69
Appendix B: Structural Engineering Report 71
1
Appendix C: Public Meetings 73
Appendix D: Economic Feasibility Study 76
Appendix E: Cultural Resource Compliance Requirements and Letters 83
Appendix F: Finding of No Significant Impact 93
Appendix G: Statement of Findings 95
Bibliography 99
Preparers 100
ILLUSTRATIONS
Location 5
Study Area 7
Coal Mine Connection
1
Existing Conditions 15
The Plan, Thurmond 29
The Plan, Depot 31
The Plan, Railyard and Commercial Area 33
Depot 47
Engine House 51
VI
acJkgFoniiKol