The Ironton Rail-Trail Oversight Commission kicked off 2014 Saturday with a historical walk on Saturday.

The seven-mile walk traversed its way through former industrial sites, train yards, quarries, homesteads and the site of a fort dating back to the French and Indian War, that was later demolished around 1942.

The walk took more than three hours, beginning at the Whitehall Parkway barn and weaving across sections of Whitehall Township and Coplay, before returning to the barn.

Along with residents from Coplay and Whitehall, residents from East Allen Township, Virginville and Towamensing Township participated in the walk.

Saturday's walking tour offered many highlights and surprises for those participating. Individuals were presented with forested areas along the meandering Coplay Creek, ruins of some of the country's industrial giants, housing developments and older homes in the borough and township.

The former Ironton Railroad rail bed, former American Cement Company, vault in the Whitehall Parkway, Lehigh Portland Cement Company and the Civil War Monument at Fairview Cemetery caught the attention of the hikers, as did the Thomas Iron Company, the Saylor Cement Kilns, Thomas Mansion and Carriage House, Lehigh Valley Traction Company trolley bridge remnants, the Ironton Rail Road caboose and the IRT trail head.

Participants also walked past the Biery rail yards, Fort Deshler, where the Indian Massacre of 1763 took place and the Coplay Cement Company.

Bob Abbott and Ray Bieak, IRT officers, led the walk.

The IRT historical walk tours began a decade ago. The next walk will take place in the fall.

The annual trolley tour, during which the tour group rides along the trail, has been canceled until 2015 due to construction of the new Hokendauqua-North Catasauqua Bridge.