Coplay in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Discovery of Portland Cement
Saylor Cement Museum
Photographed by William Fischer, Jr., March 8, 2025
1. Discovery of Portland Cement Marker
The modern cement industry began in 1756 when John Smeaton, an English engineer succeeded in producing a hydraulic cement that would harden under water. In 1824, Joseph Aspdin, an English bricklayer, produced a new cement by burning chalk and clay at much higher temperatures than those used in manufacturing hydraulic cement. On hardening it resembled the limestone taken from the Isle of Portland for building purposes, and was named Portland Cement. In this country hydraulic cement had come into use with the construction of canals.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1756.
Location. 40° 40.606′ N, 75° 29.775′ W. Marker is in Coplay, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. It is on North 2nd Street. Marker is in Saylor Park, west of the kilns. 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
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Lehigh Valley Rock Suitable for Hydraulic Cement (here, next to this marker); The Schoefer Kilns (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 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 (within shouting distance of this marker). 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 Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
2. Discovery of Portland Cement 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 601 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 9, 2025, by William Fischer, Jr. of Reynoldsburg, Ohio. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
