Coplay in Lehigh County, Pennsylvania — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
Lehigh Valley Rock Suitable for Hydraulic Cement
Saylor Cement Museum
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
1. Lehigh Valley Rock Suitable for Hydraulic Cement Marker
In the Lehigh Valley rock suitable for hydraulic cement had been found near the present locations of Palmerton and Northampton when the Lehigh Canal was built. Mills to produce hydraulic cement were erected at these sites before the Civil War. It was against this background that David O. Saylor began his experiments for producing Portland cement. As had been true in Europe he learned that by burning certain limestone almost to a melting point, he produced the material which upon further refinement became Portland Cement.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce.
Location. 40° 40.607′ N, 75° 29.775′ W. Marker is in Coplay, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. It is on North 2nd Street. Marker is in Saylor Park, to the 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 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: Discovery of Portland 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
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 Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
2. Coplay Cement Kilns
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
3. Sign at the entrance to the Saylor Cement Museum
Photographed by Don Morfe, July 5, 2015
4. 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 504 times since then and 9 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 14, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
