Future restoration of the historic Saylor Cement Kilns in Coplay by Lehigh County, the only remaining Schoefer vertical kilns in the world, can depend mostly on a just completed inspection by Spillman Farmer Architects, Bethlehem.

Rick Molchany, Lehigh County Director of General Services, reported on Thursday the inspection documents have been turned over to the county, which now will be studied. Mentioning he has not yet reviewed the inspection findings, but once scrutinized, a public meeting or meetings will be scheduled with local elected officials and residents. Coplay is expected to be the site for such meeting.

The county, Molchany and his predecessor, Glenn Solt, have continually mentioned their commitment to preserving and restoring the brick kilns. Molchany has cautioned it may be that all the remaining kilns cannot be restored because of the deteriorating condition, in particular on the northeast corner.

Molchany said he will look for input from Coplay officials and residents when the meeting is held regarding going forward with the kilns project. Molchany did not comment whether the restoration would commence this year. The cost and funding will be the principal factors. At a meeting of the Lehigh County Board of Commissioners several months ago, there was support for the kilns, but no money coming from the county's general fund.

Over the decades, the kilns have beeb threatened with demolition. Several years ago a previous county administration discussed its possible demise and asked the borough to take ownership. A citizens committee was formed, with a new county administration forged ahead, the first phase has four kilns were restored and capped. However, moisture was the issue and may have to be restored with new plans for such work.

On the urging of Coplay Borough Council in 1976, Lehigh County was given the ownership by Coplay Cement Company and a museum with cement artifacts became a reality, but moisture ruined some of the artifacts and the museum with its plexiglass roof was removed.

The kilns were part of Coplay Cement Company Mill B, erected in 1892. The original kilns stood 120 feet high, but were later reduced in size because of safety concerns. The vertical Schoefer kilns represented a major breakthrough in portland cement technology. Obsolete after a decade, they were replaced by more efficient horizontal rotary kilns. Mill B was demolished in 1950 for scrap, but its kilns remained.

In the 1950s there was talk of tearing down the kilns, but specific mechanical problems resulted in the kilns remaining. Historians point out the majestic kilns, a delight for photographers and visitors, some from abroad, represent the only remaining Schoefer kilns in the world.