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

Discovery of Portland Cement

Saylor Cement Museum

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2015

1. Discovery of Portland Cement Marker

Inscription. 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° 40.61′ N, 75° 29.771′ W. Marker is in Coplay, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. Marker 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.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Schoefer Kilns (here, next to this marker); Lehigh Valley Rock Suitable for Hydraulic Cement (a few steps from this marker); Coplay Made Cement: Cement Made Coplay (within shouting distance of this marker); Saylor Park-Welcome (within shouting distance of this marker); First Cement (about 600 feet away, measured

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in a direct line); Fort Deshler (approx. 1.1 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 1½ miles away); Walking Purchase (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Coplay.

Coplay Cement Kilns image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2015

2. Coplay Cement Kilns

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2015

3. Coplay Cement Kilns

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

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2015

4. Sign at the entrance to the Saylor Cement Museum

First Cement Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Don Morfe, July 5, 2015

5. First Cement Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on July 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 340 times since then and 21 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on July 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.