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DestinationsOther |
Jim ThorpeJim Thorpe used to be known as “Mauch Chunk,” an Indian word meaning “Bear Mountain. In 1953, the towns of Mauch Chunck and East Mauch Chunk merged and changed their names to honor the memory of Jim Thorpe, a native American Hero of the 1912 Olympics in Stockholm. Nestled among three mountains, with the Lehigh River running through it, Jim Thorpe is a charming scenic little village that is sometimes referred to as the “Switzerland of America.” There is much to do in this small town known for its outdoor activities such as rafting and biking in the summer and skiing in the winter. Stay at a B&B downtown and spend the afternoon browsing the little shops that dot the landscape in and among beautiful Victorian homes. Visit the Asa Packer mansion http://www.asapackermansion.com/, which was built in 1861 and was the home of philanthropist and industrialist Asa Packer, founder of Lehigh University and the Lehigh Valley Railroad. Tours last approximately 60 minutes and begin at 11:15 a.m. and end at 4:15 p.m. Take a tour of the Old Jail Museum, which was built in 1871 and was a functioning jail until 1995. Built into the side of a mountain, this structure is the site of the hanging of the famed Molly Maguires. A handprint left by one of the executed seven still remains to this day, despite efforts to remove it—including installing an entirely new wall! The town is especially beautiful in the fall when the foliage is in full bloom and one can just gaze up at the colorful, majestic mountains surrounding the tiny town. This area is the perfect retreat for a romantic getaway, outdoor sports, a lesson in history and a step back in time. 
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