Almost Ghost Town

Thurmond, WV. Population: 4. The historic railroad town lost the majority of its remaining residents from a National Parks Service land buyout program in the late 1980s. Now, the family who spent a decade fighting for the protection of the New River must fight for their town’s existence.

Appalachia has a harrowing history of institutions versus the people. Almost Ghost Town aims to tell the story of the 4 residents of Thurmond, WV as they navigate the National Parks Service's plan to demolish 21 structures. The film speaks to the importance of our connection to place and chronicles not just the history of Thurmond and the quirks of small town living, but in real-time we view the aspect of community and the varying degrees of hope left for the citizens while they await the news from the Parks Service: will their town lose half of its structures and what happens to the ones that remain? Will their town even exist? How will the National Parks Service be able to find the best solution moving forward when there is already such deep-rooted mistrust?

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thurmonddoc/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thurmonddoc

Website: https://www.jillian-howell.com/thurmonddoc

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XB967h3smzc&t=1s

Producer / Director / Editor | Jillian Howell

Associate Producer | Rachel Bodkin-Fox

Director of Photography | Josh Lykins

Composer | Steven Schumann

Title Designer | BaseCamp Printing Co.