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

Slate Industry

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 6, 2015

1. Slate Industry Marker

Inscription. One of the largest slate-producing centers in the United States. Welsh slate entrepreneur William Roberts first sighted slate in 1844 near a local barn. He and other Welsh immigrants established and worked in numerous slate quarries in this region. Nearby quarries included "Big Franklin"( c.1852), the largest excavation in Slatington; and "Williams," known for its production of school slate. These sites also contributed to the increase of slate roofing during the late 19th century

Erected 2002 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the Pennsylvania Historical and Museum Commission (PHMC) series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1844.

Location. 40° 45.17′ N, 75° 36.271′ W. Marker is in Slatington, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Railroad Street on Main Street. The marker is located across from Slatington Trailhead. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 135 Railroad St, Slatington PA 18080, 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: Kern Settlers (within shouting distance of this marker); Lehigh Valley Railroad Station (within shouting

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distance of this marker); Lehigh River (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lehigh Canal (approx. 0.2 miles away); Floating From Mine to Market (approx. 0.2 miles away); Warrior’s Path (approx. 0.2 miles away); First School Slate Factory (approx. 0.2 miles away); Anchor Hotel (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Slatington.

Also see . . . MarkerQuest - Slate Industry. An overview of the history of Pennsylvania's Slate Belt. (Submitted on June 22, 2022, by Laura Klotz of Northampton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 6, 2015

2. Slate Industry Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 844 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 16, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.