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Erskine, West Virginia

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A Forgotten Town

West Virginia is known for its many coal mining towns; many of which have been deserted or abandoned. One of these historic towns lies right within the property of ACE. Home to our new overnight camping spot, Erskine Flats, was named after the historic coal mining town of Erskine. Erskine is located right next to the New River and is surrounded by beautiful scenery. Right across the river is the historic coal mining town of Thurmond, which used to be the social hub of the mining communities around the New River Gorge.

Owners & Operators

There isn’t much information about Erskine, West Virginia but we do know that the Thurmond Coal Company actually was a former owner of Erskine. Back in 1888, the Thurmond Coal Company opened a new coal mine on the south side of the river, opposite of the town of Thurmond. In 1889, the Thurmond Railroad Bridge was completed across the New River which led to two miles of tracks along the river closest to the Erskine Coal Plant. Erskine maintained a company store, a powder house, and a house for workers. Eventually, in 1910, 48 people lived in Erskine, West Virginia. Over the years, Erskine had exchanged ownership from Thurmond Coal Company to Rock Lick Coal Company in 1914-1919. In 1920, Rock Lick Smokeless Coal obtained ownership until 1936. 

Life in a Coal Mining Town

Life in Erskine was similar to many coal mining towns that had spread across West Virginia. Before the railroads, West Virginia was mountain wilderness with small towns like Beckley and Madison. Coal companies began to build towns and houses for the miners and their families in isolated areas. By 1922, 80 percent of West Virginia miners lived in company houses. Coal companies erected simply designed houses, schools, churches close by to the mines. These identical homes also included indoor plumbing, electricity, and sewer systems. Since most of the towns were isolated, they relied heavily on the coal companies for resources. All life in company towns revolved around the company-owned store which supplied groceries, mining tools, and other essentials. Since there wasn’t much competition, company store prices were high. However, you could buy most anything you needed there, including: shoes, medicine, or even washing machines. Segregation still existed in company towns as well. African-Americans as well as other immigrants found themselves forced to live in a separate section of the town and attended different churches and schools. In addition, minority groups formed their own cultural institutions and fraternal orders.

Thurmond, West Virginia

Erskine’s original operator was the Thurmond Coal Company. Thurmond itself was founded in 1873 by Captain W.D. Thurmond when he was given 73 acres along the railway where he strategically built the boomtown of Thurmond. By 1910, Thurmond was the railroad center for the C & O Railway mainline. At its peak, Thurmond had many businesses including two hotels, two banks, restaurants, clothing stores, a jewelry store, movie theater, several dry-good stores, among other local businesses. Eventually, the Great Depression hit and businesses took a tragic hit and began to close. By the 1930’s automobiles came into play as well as the C & O Railway changed to diesel locomotives, making steam engines obsolete. Today, Thurmond remains as one of the smallest towns of West Virginia. Its rich history makes it a prime location for tourists and locals to visit.

Erskine in Present Day

All that remains for the historic mining town are its ruins and its beautiful position in the heart of the New River Gorge National Park. Views of Thurmond are visible from across the New River, making it a peaceful and picturesque location for ACE Adventure Resort’s new overnight camping location. Our overnight rafting trips on the New River stop at Erskine Flats where you can rest under the stars, sit around the campfire, and eat great meals prepared for you by your river guides. There is no place quite like it.

BY megan tabelon

Megan is an avid rock climber, photographer, and outdoor enthusiast who works in the marketing department at Ace Adventure Resort.

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