Bethlehem in Northampton County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

Samuel Wetherill

(1821-1890)

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, April 4, 2010

1. Samuel Wetherill Marker

Inscription. Chemist, industrialist, inventor, and Civil War officer. In 1852 he developed a process for extracting white zinc oxide directly from zinc ore. In 1853 he founded the Lehigh Zinc Co., with a plant here, pioneering the manufacture of zinc spelter and zinc sheet.

Erected 2003 by Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1852.

Location. 40° 36.756′ N, 75° 22.577′ W. Marker is in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, in Northampton County. Marker is on Columbia Street west of Webster Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bethlehem PA 18015, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Steelworkers Memorial Park (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Henry Noll (approx. 0.2 miles away); Bethlehem Steel Plant (approx. ¼ mile away); Eugene Gifford Grace (approx. ¼ mile away); John Fritz (approx. 0.3 miles away); From Mountain to Market (approx. 0.3 miles away); A Water-Powered Elevator

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(approx. 0.3 miles away); Coal for Cabbage (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bethlehem.

Also see . . .
1. Samuel Wetherill, Joseph Wharton, and the Founding of American Zinc Industry. Pennsylvania Magazine of History and Biography (Submitted on April 19, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.)

2. Samuel Wetherill - Behind the Marker. ExplorePAHistory.com (Submitted on July 20, 2011, by Mike Wintermantel of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.)

Wide view of the Samuel Wetherill Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Paul Crumlish, April 4, 2010

2. Wide view of the Samuel Wetherill Marker

The marker is located at the rehabilitated site of Lehigh Zinc Co., later used by Bethlehem Steel Co.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 9, 2019. It was originally submitted on April 19, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia. This page has been viewed 888 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 19, 2010, by PaulwC3 of Northern, Virginia.