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 From its earliest days as a "frontier" town in the first decades of the 1800's, Old Mauch Chunk, now called Jim Thorpe, has drawn visitors like a magnet from all walks of life. Artists. Writers. Enterprising entrepreneurs. Touring parties. Travelers. Visitors famous... and not so famous... have discovered the enchantment of Old Mauch Chunk. Today, Jim Thorpe is blossoming in a period of re-birth. With the beautiful old buildings, the narrow thoroughfares, and the picturesque mountain setting, it's no wonder the Swiss Tourist Board has dubbed Jim Thorpe "Americas Little Switzerland". Did You Know...
 First, a little history...Jim Thorpe, PA, formerly Mauch Chunk, is a small picturesque Pennsylvania town with a fascinating history. Established in a wilderness on the banks of the Lehigh River in 1818, Mauch Chunk became a bustling coal transportation center, tourist Mecca, and the esteemed seat of Carbon County by the middle of the 19th century.Famous as the "Switzerland of America" to 19th century rail excursionists, the town declined economically in the 20th century when petroleum replaced coal in home and industry and rail excursion tourism was replaced by the automobile. In 1954, economic revival took a strange course. Mauch Chunk traded its name for the body and name of 1912 Olympic hero Jim Thorpe. Although this bizarre exchange received nationwide attention, it did little to revitalize the town. Revitalization came to Jim Thorpe over several decades through promotion of the town's historical and architectural legacy, and the natural beauty of its surroundings.  Race Street  Broadway We made headlines! |
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 Asa Packer Mansion Home of Asa Packer, founder Lehigh Valley Railroad and Lehigh University. Lovely 20 room interior preserved with elaborately carved wood paneling and original furnishings, including gold embroidered draperies and Steinway concert grand piano. TOURS: Daily; Memorial Day Weekend through October. Weekends only 11: a.m. - 4:15 p.m. in April, May & November.  Dimmick Memorial Library 54 Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA Built in 1889, this cottage style cross-gabled building is ornamented with terra cotta panels around the doorway. Cornice and gable end. Designed by architect J. Rooney Williamson. Interior features a “great hall” reading room. Restored after fire in 1970. Open as a public library with extensive historical research material on microfilm. Call for library hours.  The Mauch Chunk Museum 41 West Broadway, Jim Thorpe, PA Discover rich textured history of Old Mauch Chunk through video, artifact, photo images and models. Housed in former St. Paul’s Methodist-Episcopal Church, circa 1843, a magnificent example of Victorian ecclesiastical architecture. Purpose is to fascinate and educate young and old through exhibits, seminars, and workshops. OPEN: Tuesday through Sunday—10:00 a.m. till 4:00 p.m. Old Mauch Chunk H. O. Model Train Display 41 Susquehanna St. (2nd floor), Jim Thorpe, PA Opened 1985. Model train display 47 ft. x 2 ft. features 13 mainlines measuring 1087 sq. ft. of track, over 200 structures, 100 bridges, and trestles, moving autos, a burning building, old fashioned football stadium, and more. Some engines pull more than 50 railroad cars. Visit hobby and gift shop. OPEN: Open year round - call for current hours.
 St. Mark - St. John Episcopal Church Race St., Jim Thorpe, PA 1869 Gothic Revival stone church built into mountainside. Features ornate gas lit baptismal front and original Minton Floor tiles from England. French Cane stone reredos as copy of St. George’s Chapel in Windsor Castle, England. Sunday services held.  The Old Jail Museum Used as the Carbon County jail until 1995. Site of hanging of seven accused coal miners known as the Molly Maguires in 1870's. Contains the mysterious handprint on the wall and reconstructed gallows. Contains 72 rooms including 28 cells, eerie dungeons, and warden’s apartment. TOURS: Memorial Day Weekend through Labor Day Daily (closed Wednesday) 12 noon - 4:30 p.m. Weekends only in September & October.  No. 9 Mine Explore the worlds oldest continuously operating anthracite coal mine 1885-1972. |
