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

First School Slate Factory

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 6, 2015

1. First School Slate Factory Marker

Inscription. The first factory to produce blackboard and school slates common in U.S. classrooms opened nearby in 1847. Slate production peaked at over one million pieces early in the 20th century, leading to Slatington’s distinction as the nation’s top slate and blackboard producer.

Erected 2003 by Pennsylvania Historical & Museum Commission.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • 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 1847.

Location. 40° 45.148′ N, 75° 36.483′ W. Marker is in Slatington, Pennsylvania, in Lehigh County. It is at the intersection of Main Street and Factory Street on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 275 Main 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: Warrior’s Path (a few steps from this marker); George Kern Home (within shouting distance of this marker); John Kern Barn (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Truckers Mill (about 700 feet away); Kern Settlers (approx. 0.2 miles away); Lehigh Valley Railroad Station

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(approx. 0.2 miles away); Slate Industry (approx. 0.2 miles away); Neff House Hotel (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Slatington.

Also see . . . MarkerQuest - First School Slate Factory, Slatington. Further information and resources concerning Slatington's school slate industry (Submitted on March 6, 2019, by Laura Klotz of Northampton, Pennsylvania.)

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 6, 2015

2. First School Slate Factory Marker

First School Slate Factory-Located on Factory Street image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Don Morfe, July 6, 2015

3. First School Slate Factory-Located on Factory Street

Credits. This page was last revised on July 24, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,208 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 16, 2015, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.