Coplay in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)

The Schoefer Kilns

Saylor Cement Museum

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015

1. The Schoefer Kilns Marker

Inscription. Portland cement is essentially an artificial product. It is made by burning various minerals in a kiln at intensive heat to produce clinker. The upright dome kiln was the first type used in America. An improvement was the Schoefer vertical kiln with chambers for heating burning and cooling the material. The kiln was in continuous production except when closed for repairs. Bituminous coal served as fuel. Coplay Cement Company built the kilns preserved in Saylor Park in 1892-1893 and operated them until 1904. They were replaced by the rotary kiln. One of the most important advances in cement manufacture.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1904.

Location. 40° 40.613′ N, 75° 29.77′ 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: Lehigh Valley Rock Suitable for Hydraulic Cement (a few steps from this marker); Discovery of Portland Cement (a few steps from this marker); Saving the Kilns (within shouting distance of this marker); Last of Their Kind (within shouting distance of this marker); a

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different marker also named Coplay Made Cement: Cement Made Coplay (within shouting distance of this marker); Saylor Cement Kiln West 1 Preservation Project (within shouting distance of this marker); Saylor Park-Welcome (within shouting distance of this marker); Safety Follows Wisdom (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coplay.

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. The Schoefer Kilns Marker

The Schoefer Kilns image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015

3. The Schoefer Kilns

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015

4. The Schoefer Kilns

Sign at the entrance to the Saylor Cement Museum image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015

5. Sign at the entrance to the Saylor Cement Museum

First Cement Marker image. Click for full size.

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 1,052 times since then and 44 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.