Eccles, West Virginia facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Eccles, West Virginia
Census-designated place (CDP)
Eccles, West Virginia Location in West Virginia
Country	United States
State	West Virginia
County	Raleigh
Area
• Total	0.689 sq mi (1.78 km2)
• Land	0.687 sq mi (1.78 km2)
• Water	0.002 sq mi (0.005 km2)
Elevation	2,182 ft (665 m)
Population  (2010)
• Total	362
• Density	525.4/sq mi (202.9/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	25836
Area code(s)	304 & 681
GNIS feature ID	2586800

Eccles is a small community in Raleigh County, West Virginia, in the United States. It is known as a census-designated place (CDP). This means it's an area that looks like a town but isn't officially a city or village with its own local government.

Eccles is located on West Virginia Route 3. It is about 4 miles (6.4 km) west of a larger city called Beckley. The community has its own post office with the ZIP code 25836. In 2010, about 362 people lived in Eccles.

History of Eccles

How Eccles Got Its Name

The community of Eccles was first named after the book of Ecclesiastes from the Bible. A mining company was started in this area around the year 1900. This company used the longer name.

Later, the local post office decided to shorten the name to just "Eccles." This made it easier for people to spell and helped mail get delivered faster.

The Eccles Mine Disaster

Eccles is also known for a sad event that happened there. On April 28, 1914, there was a terrible coal mining disaster in Eccles. This accident took the lives of 180 men who worked in the mines. It was a very difficult time for the community.

Life in Eccles

Eccles is a small place. It is part of the larger Raleigh County. The area is known for its history with coal mining. Many communities in West Virginia grew because of the coal industry.

Today, Eccles continues to be a quiet residential area. It offers a glimpse into the history of coal towns in West Virginia.