Taverns played a major role in the lives of Coplay residents going as far back as the late 1800s and early 1920s.

Hotels and bars thrived from the 1940s through 1970s. Some taverns have taken on a different use, while others have altered their businesses to cater to a dining experience for patrons.

Sechler's at Second and Chestnut streets was a watering hole for many Coplay Cement Company and Whitehall Cement workers. The men stopped in at the bar after a shift to quench their dry palates from the cement dust they were exposed to at the plant. Sometimes they stopped for a drink before going to work and certainly on pay day. The bar had a spittoon and some bars cashed paychecks for the workers.

Later Sechler's changed hands and was renovated by Lou and Dottie Klucharuch. The name of the tavern changed to Yesterday's and it became a popular dining spot, offering ethnic food as a specialty. After several years, ownership changed. Now that location is known as Samuel Owens. It offers menu items that range from burgers to lobster.

The Log Cabin Tavern, circa 1940s, was built with logs from trees in the Pocono Mountains. Owner Frank Kukitz, a big-game hunter, enlisted volunteers, many of them cement workers, to help erect the log facade. The project included the bowling alleys and the two structures were connected via an indoor hallway. The tavern has a large hall which used to host polka dances. Among the owners for many years was Walt Tapler. Food remains a staple there today.

The Eagle Hotel at Front and Coplay streets, which now serves as a senior living facility, dates back to the 1870s. In its earlier years, the hotel was owned by James and Sarah Dorwood. For many years, it was called Chick's Eagle Hotel and was owned by Chick Walakovits, who opened a smaller bar at Second and Center streets known as Fragnito's.

Columbia Hotel, which had dinners and dances at its Second and Coplay streets location, was also popular with townspeople. The large brick structure dates back to the early 1900s when it was owned by Charles Albert. For many years, Matt Korboth and his wife owned the business, and it is where the Coplay Rotary Club had its dinner meetings.

Dating back to the 1870s is the former August Hohl's Tavern at 138 S. Front St. It later was bought by the Thomas Hower family and became known as Hower's Cafe. The white linen covered tables and pleasing wallpaper created an inviting atmosphere for diners. Later the Schrampf family, with their reputation for great seafood, made it the place to dine.

The hotel at Second and Hokendauqua streets, now a Lehigh County-owned apartment facility, for decades was owned by someone from the Miller family. It also served food.

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School class reunions usually take place every few years on anniversary dates and sometimes more frequently as the class shrinks in numbers.

However, in Coplay, the St. Peter's Elementary School Class of 1950 gets together monthly. During one month the members have a breakfast at a local restaurant and during the next month, a luncheon is held at a nearby eatery.

Ed Tantsits has been active in keeping this group together.