Jim Thorpe, (Mauch Chunk) is nestled in a spectacular valley at a landing along the Lehigh River Gorge. The discovery of coal on the nearby mountains fueled the incredible growth of Mauch Chunk and, ironically, the hard times that began with the demise of the coal industry contributed to renaming it Jim Thorpe.

Mauch Chunk began to take form in the fall of 1818 when the Lehigh Coal & Navigation Company, headed by Josiah White, began work in the area. Quickly the town became a major center for regional anthracite coal transportation.

In 1822 the population was two hundred and sixty-nine, comprising ninety-three working hands, thirty-five other male adults, forty-five female adults, and ninety-six children. A great number of men had gathered from far and near, from town and country, to build the river dams, to cut timber, prepare roadways, and delve in the mountain for coal."

Surveyed and graded roads were built to tame the steep inclines of the surrounding mountains. These roadways were designed as wagon roads to carry coal that would eventually be loaded onto the empty barges waiting along the Mauch Chunk riverfront.

By 1872, the efficiency of steam locomotion and the expansion of railroad systems diminished the use of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company’s canal system as the primary means of regional coal transport.
Steam and rail technology also dethroned Mauch Chunks' unique switchback, a "railed road" that used gravity as the means to transport coal from nearby mines to Mauch Chunk. During the time the switchback hauled coal it also hauled people. From its inception as Pennsylvania's first railroad in 1827 until its final run in 1933, the famous "Switch Back" and its exhilarating, eighteen mile open rail car ride was a "must do" attraction. Now, the Switch Back, even though dismantled, still leaves its legacy in the form of trails, which are hiked, biked and enjoyed by many of our natives and visitors.

Jim Thorpe's famous mansions and unspoiled Victorian architecture support the claim that Mauch Chunk was once the home to 13 millionaires. When black tie was de rigueur in Mauch Chunk, not only coal, but also tourism, was a major industry. Mauch Chunk had seven grand hotels. Of these only the American Hotel remains, beautifully restored and now called, The Inn at Jim Thorpe. Mauch Chunk was also known for its famous ballroom in the sky, Flagstaff, which is still in operation today. The remains of a once famous resort and the Hotel Wahnetah are a short distance from Mauch Chunk. The hotel was on the east bank of the river, up stream from the old railroad tunnel. On the west bank, near the parking lot, are the remains of the hiking trail to Glen Onoko Falls. The trail also leads to the remains of the park and picnic area on the hillside overlooking the river and railroad. This once was one of the most popular resort areas in the country.

The spirit of old Mauch Chunk has kept this place mostly immune to the ravages of time and the architectural malevolence of well-intended entrepreneurs.

Mauch Chunks' spirit is the only explanation of why, 180 years later, even though surrounded by an increasingly insane world, quaint Bed and Breakfasts' populate many of the original Victorian buildings on Broadway and why, during any fair weather weekend you will find the streets, galleries, shops, and restaurants of, "A Town Called Jim,"
comfortably bustling with enchanted people.

D.M. 03/06 J.S. 8/08

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