Eaton, West Virginia facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Eaton
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 Eaton
Location in West Virginia
Eaton
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | West Virginia |
| County | Wood |
| Elevation | 791 ft (241 m) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| GNIS ID | 1554362 |
Eaton is a place in Wood County, West Virginia, United States. It is known as a ghost town. This means it was once a community that was active and had people living there, but now it is mostly abandoned. Eaton was located right along the path of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad.
Contents
Eaton's Railroad History
Eaton was very important because of the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad line that ran through it. This railroad was a major way for people and goods to travel.
End of Train Service
Passenger trains stopped using this line completely in the fall of 1981. Eaton's train station, which had been empty for a long time, unfortunately burned down in the mid-1980s. By 1988, all train services on this line were stopped.
From Tracks to Trails
In the 1990s, the old railroad tracks were removed. The path where the trains once ran was then turned into a walking and biking trail. This trail is now part of the North Bend Rail Trail, which is a popular spot for outdoor activities.
How Eaton Got Its Name
The town of Eaton was named after a man who built tunnels. His last name was Eaton.
The Tunnel Accident
In the early 1960s, work began to make the railroad tunnels wider and taller. Eaton had a tunnel, known as Tunnel #21, which was first built way back in 1867.
Tunnel Collapse
On June 6, 1963, this old tunnel collapsed. Two workers were trapped inside. One worker was rescued safely, but sadly, the body of the second worker was never found.
New Tunnel and Legacy
Because the old tunnel was too dangerous, it was sealed off. A new tunnel was then dug right next to the old one. There is no special marker or sign to remember the worker who was never recovered. Because of this sad event, the tunnel has become a place that some people visit, especially those interested in ghost stories.
