The Slate Picker's
1854
These are the smallest and oldest of the miners homes at Eckley.
With only a living room and kitchen/dining area on the first floor,
and a sleeping loft above, the poorest families lived here.
Men who lived here with their families were often hurt, older, or otherwise unable to work underground. They were called slate pickers because they worked in the breaker. They often performed a variety of menial tasks. Daily survival was difficult, Women and small children prepared meals, cleaned, washed laundry, hauled water, firewood and coal, tended the garden, canned, and fed the few farm animals they might own.
Many women took in additional laundry, scrubbed floors, performed
seamstress work, or
otherwise subsided the family home. They
would also sell or barter any
extra produce, fruit, baked goods, and
products from the animals. Girls went to school until about sixth
or seventh grade then worked
local factories or mills
to further support the family.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Industry & Commerce.
Location.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Laborer’s Double Dwelling (within shouting distance of this marker); Eckley Miners’ Village (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Eckley Miners’ Village (about 500 feet away); Exploring the Corridor (about 500 feet away); Veterans Memorial Tree (about 600 feet away); a different marker also named Eckley Miners' Village (about 700 feet away); Eckley Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Land Use (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Eckley.
Credits. This page was last revised on December 30, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 28, 2020, by TeamOHE of Wauseon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 29 times since then and 6 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on December 28, 2020, by TeamOHE of Wauseon, Ohio. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
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