There is a magical land in eastern Pennsylvania where dreams do come true. This magical land is the home of former Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe; it is also the home of the Asa Packer Mansion, and Lehigh Gorge State Park, which is famous for its whitewater and its railway along the gorge. There is so much to do in this magical land that it is next to impossible to fit all of the dreams into one short article. One thing that is definitely true about this place is they celebrate their history.
In 1818 the settlement of Mauch Chunk was established with 40 buildings erected and 400 acres cleared. In 1850 Mauch Chunk was incorporated as a borough and became the seat of Carbon County. In 1950 Mauch Chunk celebrated its 100th birthday.
Shortly after 6-time Olympic gold medalist Jim Thorpe died, Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk, by community referendum in 1954, combined to form Jim Thorpe, PA in honor of the “Greatest Athlete in the World. In 1957 the Jim Thorpe Mausoleum, the final resting place of the athlete was completed and placed with the Jim Thorpe Memorial. The mausoleum is a highlight of the tour.
There is so much to do in Jim Thorpe that one cannot possibly fit it all in on one day. The Mauch Chunk Museum has a display of Jim Thorpe, “The Man” and gives a visual history of the borough. The No. 9 Mine & Museum in nearby Lansford houses the world’s oldest continuously operated anthracite coal mine and the tours are led by the miners. The Asa Packer Mansion – Museum sits right above the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway. The Railway offers a breathtaking view of the gorge. The best seats on the train are on the left when entering the train and they are usually the first seats filled. The train runs every hour and by going to LGSRY.com, one can get a schedule and prices for the rides. The Bear Mountain Butterfly Sanctuary allows one to touch a real live butterfly or adopt a caterpillar. Lehigh Gorge State Park offers picnicking, and hiking. The Northeast PA Kayak School offers “whitewater therapy” with top-notch instructors and coaches.
To get to Jim Thorpe, it might be easiest to get off the Pennsylvania turnpike’s northeast extension at Lehighton and go north on route 993 a few miles, then make a right at the bridge onto route 903, Jim Thorpe would be right in front of you, and it reminds many of European visitors of a city in the Swiss Alps. People from Switzerland have been known to stop by and most agree it looks just like home. A tourist would never guess the history of Jim Thorpe by viewing it. Long ago, its major industry was coal mining, but a major flood forced the people to seek alternative ways to support themselves.
On your way up to Jim Thorpe, don’t forget to stop at the mini market at the entrance of route 993. Most travelers stop in and get gasoline and food. Don’t forget to grab some brochures while you’re there to help you decide which activities are for you. Just be forewarned, you will not be able to see and do everything that Jim Thorpe, PA has to offer in one day. Oh yes, don’t forget the nearby skiing at any number of ski resorts just up the road from Jim Thorpe.
Before you leave, don’t forget to stop by local pubs such as Molly Maguires, Terpstras, and JT’s Steak and Ale. There is so much European influence here that visiting Jim Thorpe is like taking a mini European tour.
Seasonally, there is an Olde Time Christmas Celebration, a Saint Patrick’s Day Parade which is ranked as one of the top 10 St. Patrick’s Day Parades nationwide, Fall Foliage Weekends at Josiah White Park near the Lehigh Gorge train station, and Winterfest held every Presidents Day weekend in February. Nearby Lehighton offers a walk through lights display around Christmas time. For the most fun, don’t forget to pack your imagination.
