Historical Sites in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania

Founded in 1818 by the Lehigh Coal Company as Mauch Chunk (Lenni Lenape for "Bear Mountain"), and renamed in 1954, Jim Thorpe is a Victorian paradise in Carbon County, Northeastern Pennsylvania. A stroll through the town is a trip back in time as the impeccably preserved Victorian architecture proves its most striking feature. Once a tourist draw second only to Niagara Falls, Mauch Chunk's steep mountains and scenery, narrow streets and terraced gardens earned it the title "Switzerland of America."

HISTORICAL SITES TO VISIT:

The Old Jail Museum at Jim Thorpe: Site of the controversial executions of the Molly Maguires between 1877 and 1879, the Old Jail in Jim Thorpe is a must-see. This fortress-like prison was constructed in 1871 and served as the Carbon County Prison until January 1995, until it was privately acquired, restored and opened it as a museum. Located on a hill at the end of West Broadway, Jim Thorpe's main street, the prison is constructed of hand-cut stone and backs up to the side of a mountain. It was shocking to see the small, dank cells and the dirt floors in the dungeon and realize that prisoners were actually held here until 1995, and the dungeons last used in 1985.

Tours are conducted of the cellblocks and dungeon cells, the warden's living quarters, the kitchens and the chilling reconstructed gallows area. In Cell 17, there is a handprint on the wall, allegedly put there by one of the doomed Molly Maguires just before execution. It is claimed that one of the Mollies rubbed a hand in the dirt and placed it on the wall, declaring that the handprint would remain there forever as a sign of his innocence. Over the years, the new owner claims wardens have cleaned, painted over and re-cemented the wall, only to have the handprint return. Strangely enough, despite its alleged imperishability, you are told not to photograph the handprint due to danger of it fading. (Rebel that I am, I did mange to sneak a shot. See photos.) I recommend this be your first stop. Slideshow. Tour information.

Asa Packer Mansion in Jim Thorpe: A National Historic Landmark located high on a hill above the railroad, this Mansion was built in 1861 by Asa Packer, philanthropist, railroad magnate and founder of Lehigh University. One of the best preserved Italianate Villas in the country, the three-story, 11,000 square foot mansion was built over a cast iron frame, has 18 rooms and is topped by a ribbed tin roof and central cupola. The magnificent chandeliers and stained-glass windows and intricately carved gothic woodwork and furniture that grace the interior took my breath away. Slideshow. Tour information.

Mauch Chunk Opera House in Jim Thorpe: Built in 1881, Mauch Chunk Opera House was designed by Philadelphia architect Addison Hutton. A regular stop on the vaudeville circuit at its zenith, Al Jolsen appeared here regularly, and John Phillip Sousa performed here annually. After falling on hard times, the Opera House has been restored and is once again considered a "jewel of the community" offering live music and performing arts entertainment. Visit this Website for history and upcoming events.

St. Mark's and St. John's Church in Jim Thorpe: A National Historic Landmark, the church's magnificent Queen Anne and Late Gothic Revival architecture towers over Jim Thorpe. See breathtaking Tiffany and Gibson stained glass windows and artwork, and a "reredos" (screen behind the altar) which is a replica of one at Windsor Castle. See this page for tour schedules.

Jim Thorpe's Tomb: You might want to visit here soon, as the fate of Thorpe's remains is presently in debate, his home state and Native American relatives demanding his return to Oklahoma. In 1954, in an effort to boost tourism in the wake of the decline of the town's coal enterprises, the newly-merged boroughs of Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk struck a deal with the widow of Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe to entomb him there and rename the town after him. Thorpe's tomb is above-ground, resting on a mound of dirt from Oklahoma and the Stockholm stadium where he won his Olympic gold medals. Etchings of him as an Olympic athlete, football, basketball and baseball player, and riding horseback in full native dress adorn the tomb. Visit this link for location and details on the controversy.

Sources: JimThorpeMarket.com; Historic Sites; Old Jail-History.net; The Old Jail Official Website; Asa Packer Mansion Website; Molly Maguires; History of Molly Maguires