Acton, Alabama facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Acton, Alabama
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 Acton, Alabama
Location in Alabama
Acton, Alabama
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Alabama |
| County | Shelby |
| Elevation | 505 ft (154 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-6 (Central (CST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-5 (CDT) |
| Zip Code |
35244
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| Area codes | 205, 659 |
| GNIS feature ID | 112906 |
Acton is a small, unincorporated community in Shelby County, Alabama. This means it's a group of homes and businesses that isn't officially part of a city or town, so it doesn't have its own local government. Part of Acton is actually located inside the city of Hoover. It's important not to confuse this Acton with another village called Acton in Jefferson County, which is about 6.5 miles away.
Contents
The Story of Acton: From Mines to Homes
Early Days: Coal Mining in Acton
Acton started as a company town built around coal mines. The Alabama Fuel & Iron Company set up these mines. Workers and their families lived in Acton because it was close to where they worked. The Louisville and Nashville Railroad helped transport the coal from these mines.
Sadly, on November 18, 1913, there was a big explosion in Mine Number 2. This tragic event caused the deaths of 21 miners.
Why Acton Got Its Name
A post office was opened in Acton in 1908. It stayed open until 1926. The community was probably named after William Acton. He was a local businessperson who worked in the mining industry.
Acton Becomes Riverchase
After the coal mines closed down, the land around Acton changed a lot. In the 1970s, the area was developed into a large residential community called Riverchase. This was a planned community with many homes. In 1980, Riverchase officially became part of the city of Hoover, Alabama.
How Many People Live in Acton?
Acton is an unincorporated community. This means it doesn't have its own separate population count in the official U.S. Census. Instead, its residents are counted as part of the larger areas it belongs to, like Shelby County or the city of Hoover.
