Coplay in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Saylor Park-Welcome
David O. Saylor-The Father of Portland Cement Industry in America
| | 1827-1884 | |
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
1. Saylor Park-Welcome Marker
David Oliver Saylor was born on October 20, 1827 in Hanover Township, Lehigh County. In 1866, he organized the Coplay Cement Company for the manufacture of natural cement. He soon began experiments to produce Portland cement in 1871. He was granted a patent on his process. With the help of John W. Eckert the process was improved, and in 1876 Saylors Portland Cement received an award at the Centennial Exposition. His was the moving spirit in the founding of the American Portland Cement industry. He died on July 21, 1884.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is July 21, 1884.
Location. 40° 40.574′ N, 75° 29.778′ W. Marker is in Coplay, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. It is on North 2nd Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 245 North 2nd Street, Coplay PA 18037, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southeast Pennsylvania and in Lehigh Valley. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Safety Follows Wisdom (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named Safety Follows Wisdom (within shouting distance of this marker); Coplay Made Cement: Cement Made Coplay (within shouting distance of this marker); Last of Their Kind (within shouting distance of this marker); Saylor Cement Kiln West 1 Preservation Project
this page online
Another marker is no longer nearby. Coplay Made Cement: Cement Made Coplay (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been confirmed missing).
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 8, 2025
2. Saylor Park-Welcome Marker
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
3. Coplay Cement Kilns
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
4. Coplay Cement Kilns
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
5. Sign at the entrance to the Saylor Cement Museum
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
6. First Cement Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on March 9, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 670 times since then and 38 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on July 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on March 9, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
