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[graphic header] A National Register of Historic Places Travel Itinerary Delaware and Lehigh National Heritage Corridor
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[graphic] Eckley Historic District


[photo] Workers housing and the Catholic Church of the Eckley Historic District
Photographs by and courtesy of Pam Colbert
The Eckley Historic District, also known as Eckley Miners' Village, was one of hundreds of company mining towns built in the anthracite region during the late 19th century. The patch town, or company built and operated mining town, provided all the basic needs for the individuals who owned, operated, and worked in the anthracite mines surrounding the town. Sharpe, Weiss & Company leased land from Tench Coxe, and built the town, between 1854 and 1874, to provide housing, medical care and shopping for their employees. In the 1870s, 350 men and boys worked in the mines, and the town reached a population of 1,500. During the 1860s, eight million tons of coal were mined in Pennsylvania's anthracite region, and mines remained active until homes began heating with oil and natural gas in the 1920s. The 58 remaining buildings include the mine owners' houses, the doctor's office, 47 worker's houses, the Catholic Church and its rectory. Listed in the National Register in 1971, the town remains a significant example of a mining community from the 1800s. Eckley Historic District is owned and administered by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as Eckley Miners' Village.

Eckley Historic District is located nine miles east of Hazleton, off Rte. 940, and is accessible from I-80 and I-81. White on brown directional signs on either side of the town of Freeland will direct visitors to Eckley. The Eckley Miner's Village is open Monday-Saturday 9:00am to 5:00pm, Sunday 12:00pm to 5:00pm, and is closed on state holidays, except Memorial Day, July 4, and Labor Day. There is a fee. Please call 570-636-2070 or visit the Village's website for further information.


 [graphic] Link to Canal History Essay
 [graphic] Link to Delaware and Lehigh Region Essay
 [graphic] Link to Scranton and the Railroad Essay
 [graphic] Link to Establishing the Heritage Corridor Essay

 

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