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The name “Eckville” commemorates Arthur E.T. Eckford, the original landowner of “Old Eckville”. Mr. Eckford emigrated from Ireland to the district in 1902. In 1905 he donated land for a store and a post office. By 1908 the hamlet included a hotel, cheese factory, blacksmith shop and a school across the river. In 1912 when the Canadian National Railroad completed its line, one and one-half miles south of Eckville, people and businesses moved to establish “New Eckville” at the present location. Eckville was incorporated as a Village in 1921 and became a Town in 1966. The rich farmland surrounding Eckville was homesteaded in the early 1900’s by settlers particularly from Finland and Estonia. In the mid 1960’s Eckville experienced rapid growth when oil and natural gas were discovered in the area. Today both farming and the energy industries provide the mainstay of the local economy. Eckville is located half way between Red Deer and Rocky Mountain House and is within easy access are the Rocky mountains, major lakes, trout ponds, campgrounds and two golf courses.
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