“I’m originally from Thurmond, West Virginia”
I almost choked on the coffee I was sipping. Growing up in the suburbs of Putnam County, WV, I had only heard of Thurmond as the ghost town down on the New River. It was 2021, and sitting across from Megan Bullock. I was merely on a mission to connect with every West Virginia artist possible, not find the topic for my first feature film. Megan continued to tell me stories of her parents in the late 80s running a hostel down by the river, but the one that stuck with me was when they ran against each other for mayor. “My mom won 19 to 1,” she chuckled. “My dad voted for himself.” But the biggest shock was when she mentioned there was still a population in Thurmond, including her brother.
The smallest municipality in West Virginia, the town currently boasts a population of 4. 25% of the population is the mayor. Us Appalachians have heard of the boom and bust extraction cycle, but how has Thurmond held on this long? And how long can it continue to survive when 80% of their property is owned by the National Parks Service?
In 1978, when the New River became a National River, the National Parks Service created a land buyout program in which citizens could voluntarily sell their property to the National Parks Service. Now, the homes have sat empty for 30 years much to the chagrin and griping of the folks who moved and now regret it. In January 2024, the National Parks Service announced a proposal to demolish 21 structures within Thurmond due to “deferred maintenance needs.”
My years-long obsession with Thurmond alongside these current events has turned into my debut feature documentary “Almost Ghost Town.” Although I have made several shorts and work full-time for Disney Animation in Los Angeles, this is the biggest personal project I have ever undertaken. I am able to use my Appalachian heritage, empathy, and outside perspective to consciously collaborate with my subjects. It’s important for Appalachians to have the space to tell their story authentically in their own voice, and I’m grateful for the trust and opportunity to create that outlet.
To raise funds to pay our West Virginia videographers, we are running a Seed&Spark crowdfunding campaign to raise $30,000 by September 8th. We are over halfway funded, but can’t do this without your support! Please consider pitching in, or buying a limited edition Thurmond t-shirt or hat! We partnered with WV artist Mason Beuhring and WV shop Mountain Mindful to create merchandise with all proceeds going to our crew. Help us tell the story of Thurmond and preserve the history before it’s too late.
Jillian Carney Howell is a filmmaker, non-profit leader, and production management professional originally from Scott Depot, West Virginia. Although she now resides in Los Angeles, California and works full time at Walt Disney Animation Studios, she moonlights as an independent storyteller with films that celebrate her Appalachian heritage through an empathetic and collaborative lens. Often overdressed and always colorful, she is never one to turn down an opportunity to wear sequins.
