JIM THORPE, PENNSYLVANIA

'Jim Thorpe' is a borough in Carbon County, Pennsylvania, United States. The population was 4,804 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Carbon County. The boroughs of Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk merged and took on the name of Jim Thorpe following the 1953 death of Olympic athlete Jim Thorpe in hopes to attract tourism and other attention to help its economy. The town has also been referred to as the "Switzerland of America", as can be seen in an old drawing of the town showcased in a restaurant therein. This may also be the cause of the building next to the Sunrise Diner having "Hotel Switzerland" painted onto its front. The town was so nicknamed due to the picturesque scenery, mountainous location, and architecture.
The history of the town is inscribed in the architecture that makes up its many 19th century styles. Former resident, architectural historian Hans Egli, noted the vast range of architectural styles, from Federalist, to Greek Revival, Second Empire, Romanesque Revival, Queen Anne, and Richardsonian Romanesque. Fortunately, most of these architectural examples remain completely intact and were only covered in unimaginative "modern" siding that has since been removed.
Robert Venturi, a renowned Philadelphia-based architect, conducted a little known planning study in the 1970's that attempted to understand the dynamics of historicism and tourism, notions that have come into their own in contemporary times. While Venturi's planning study was unique at the time, it has since become a critical factor in Jim Thorpe's rebound as a functioning and economically stable construct. Jim Thorpe currently benefits from tourism initially spurred on by the celebration of its old architecture and has since then spawned into new industries that are modern creations. Two of these relative newcomers to the Jim Thorpe area are Paintball and White Water rafting.

Contents

Mauch Chunk Switchback Gravity Railroad

Geography

Demographics

Recreation

External links

Mauch Chunk Switchback Gravity Railroad

In 1827, a mining company in Summit Hill, Pennsylvania constructed a 14-kilometre downhill track, known as a gravity railroad, to deliver coal (and a miner to operate the mine train's brake) to the Lehigh Canal in Mauch Chunk, PA. This was responsible for opening up the area to commerce. By the 1850s, the "Gravity Road" (as it became known) was providing rides to thrillseekers for 50 cents a ride. This is often designated as the first roller coaster in the United States. The Switchback Gravity Railroad Foundation was formed to to study the feasibility of preserving and interpreting the remains of the Switchback Gravity Railroad on top of Mount Pisgah.

Geography

East Jim Thorpe is located at (40.872938, -75.736449).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the borough has a total area of 38.3 km² (14.8 mi²). 37.5 km² (14.5 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it (2.03%) is water. Jim Thorpe is located 3 miles north of Lehighton and 3 miles east of Nesquehoning. Jim Thorpe's elevation is at 1519 feet above sea level

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 4,804 people, 1,967 households, and 1,335 families residing in the borough. The population density was 128.2/km² (332.1/mi²). There were 2,193 housing units at an average density of 58.5/km² (151.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the borough was 98.36% White, 0.62% African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.04% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.83% of the population.
There were 1,967 households out of which 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.1% were non-families. 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.93.
In the borough the population was spread out with 21.0% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 24.9% from 45 to 64, and 17.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.9 males.
The median income for a household in the borough was $35,976, and the median income for a family was $43,710. Males had a median income of $31,141 versus $23,490 for females. The per capita income for the borough was $17,119. About 7.8% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 6.8% of those age 65 or over.
Mauch Chunk was founded in 1818 by the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company and rapidly became a railroad and coal-shipping centre. Population: 1900, 4020; 1910, 3952.[1]

Recreation

Jim Thorpe is quickly becoming a tourist destination, with many businesses catering to White Water Rafting, Mountain Biking, Paintball, and Hiking. Along with these Adventure Sports Jim Thorpe is popular among railroading fans, and is known for its extraordinary architecture.
The town is also home to the Asa Packer and Harry Packer Mansions. The former was the founder of the Lehigh Valley Railroad and Lehigh University. The latter was the son of Asa. Both mansions sit next to one another on a hill overlooking downtown Jim Thorpe. The Asa Packer Mansion is currently a museum and has been conducting tours since Memorial Day of 1956. The Harry Packer Mansion is now a bed and breakfast.

External links

★ Borough of Jim Thorpe

★ Mauch Chunk Historical Society