Coal is now strip-mined at the outskirts of the village, but the old Council Ridge Colliery is gone. Eckley was a company town until 1971, when it was deeded to the Commonwealth. Today some fifty people call Eckley home. While most of the buildings are private residences or businesses, a number are open to the public and can be included as part of a Walking Tour through this neat little town. The Visitor's Center, where a tour begins, features a slide-show orientation and a number of interesting exhibits on the history of Eckley and life in the mining towns throughout the anthracite region.
Visitors can see more than twenty-three historic sites and structures on the tour.
Of these, three can be toured with a guide, and several others are under development. The Company Store, built in 1869 as a prop for the movie, The Molly Maguires , is open during summer months. A tour is educational, really a step back into time. Eckley makes for a nice family outing or a great field trip for School Groups. Eckley also features a number of special events throughout the year, including Charter Day, when admission to all state museums is free.