PRESS PHOTOS BY DONNA GEWERTZ A group of a dozen history seekers is led by Ray Bieak, Ironton Rail Trail Oversight Commission secretary (left), during a spring historical walking tour March 19 on the IRT, which spans Whitehall Township, Coplay Borough and North Whitehall Township.

The historical walking tour group takes a break for a photo at the Center Street trail head before crossing the street into the area known as the Millen Conservancy, which includes a wildlife viewing area.

Among the notable structures along the IRT are the cement kilns preserved as the Saylor Park Museum. The kilns were the home of the first Portland Cement, produced in 1875, and the sole producer of Portland Cement in the United States until 1885. David O. Saylor is credited with this process in Coplay.

The group poses in front of a former Ironton Railroad caboose, now on display near the Ruch and Chestnut streets trail head. The caboose was originally built for the Reading Railroad in 1924, sold to the Ironton Railroad in 1953 and retired from service in 1966. Thanks to the work of various individuals and companies, the caboose was preserved and restored and is able to be maintained for display today.

Tour guide Ray Bieak points to the entrance of the wildlife observation station, located south of Center Street, during a March 19 historical tour organized by the Ironton Rail Trail Oversight Commission. Participants spent about four hours learning some of the area's history as they walked along a 7-mile course.

Participants of a March 19 historical tour stand under the Coplay-Northampton Bridge as they make their way along a 7-mile course, organized by the Ironton Rail Trail Oversight Commission. A guide provided some history on the area as the walkers continued their four-hour journey.

Former Catasauqua Area School District teachers Lisa Roth (left), of Whitehall, and Judy Evans, of Laurys Station, wait for the start of a March 19 historical tour, organized by the Ironton Rail Trail Oversight Commission. Attendees started the 7-mile journey at the Whitehall Township barn on Chestnut Street. A guide provided some history during the four-hour tour.