Jim Thorpe is a historic town in the Pocono region of eastern Pennsylvania. The town is one of the most visited places in the Poconos and is known for outdoor activities, natural wonders, and architectural marvels.
But, did you know that the town was initially named Mauch Chunk and was renamed (Jim Thorpe) after the famous Native American Olympian and athlete James Francis Thorpe? If not, then continue reading to know more about Jim Thorpe.
This is our small attempt to shed some light on the legacy of Jim Thorpe and his impact on Native American Culture.
Early Life and Achievements
James Francis Thorpe is believed to be born on 22nd May 1887 in Oklahoma, though there is some confusion regarding his birth date. Jim Thorpe attended Carlisle Industrial School in Carlisle (PA), where he excelled in track and field and mastered other sports such as Football and baseball.
Because of his athletic prowess, he earned a spot in the 1912 Summer Olympics in Stockholm where he won two gold medals ( classic pentathlon and decathlon) and set a world record in the decathlon that remained unbroken for the next 20 years.
After the Olympics, he switched to professional baseball (1913-1919) and football (1919-1926). Thorpe played as an outfielder for New York, Cincinnati, and Boston Baseball teams and played football for Canton Bulldogs, Oorang Indians, Tempa Cardinals, Chicago Cardinals, New York Giants, Rock Island Independence, and Cleaveland Indians. Jim Thorpe also served as the first president of the American Professional Football Association in 1920. In 1928, at the age of 41, Jim Thorpe retired from professional football. He also excelled in many other sports such as boxing, lacrosse, basketball, swimming, and hockey.
Olympics Medal Controversy
Modern Olympics rules are different from the 20th-century Olympics rule. Earlier, only amateur athletes were allowed to participate in the Olympics and in 1913 it was discovered that Jim Thorpe had played professional baseball before the Olympics which violated the rules of the time. Consequently, Jim Thorpe was stripped from the Olympics medals, titles, and awards. However, 29 years after his death, in 1982 International Olympics Committee (IOC) reinstated Thorpe’s medals and awards and declared him as co-champion, but in 2022, IOC reinstated him as the sole winner of both events.
Jim Thorpe’s Impact on Native American
James Francis Thorpe, a member of the Sac and Fox Nation, is considered one of the greatest athletes of all time and was the first Native American to win gold medals at the Olympics. Thorpe’s success as an athlete had a significant impact on Native Americans and it showed that Native Americans could excel in mainstream society by breaking down racial barriers and becoming national heroes. After Thorpe’s success, many newspapers started discussing other native athletes.
Mauch Chunk to Jim Thorpe
The word Mauch Chunk is derived from the Lenape term, Mawsch Unk meaning Bear Place, possibly referring to Bear Mountain. The town’s history dates back to the 19th century when it became the center for the anthracite coal mining industry. Due to the high demand for anthracite coal, the town grew into one of the richest towns in America.
After Jim Thorpe’s death, his third wife Patricia was looking for a town in his home state Oklahoma to commemorate his achievements, but things didn’t go as planned. Later, Thorpe’s remains were moved to Mauch Chunk and interred at Jim Thorpe Memorial. In 1954, Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk were merged and named Jim Thorpe as a token of respect to this legendary athlete. Since then the place is known as Jim Thorpe and became one of the most attractive tourist spots in the Poconos.
Things to do & Must Visit Places in Jim Thorpe
Once a bustling industrial town, Jim Thorpe is now known as the Switzerland of America. The town is famous for its picturesque landscape, mind-boggling historical sites, architecture, and outdoor recreational activities, which makes it a favorite place for vacationers. So, if you are planning a visit to this charming town, here are a few things to do and a few must-visit places in Jim Thorpe.
Things to do
- Hiking
- Biking
- Fishing
- Skiing
- Waterparks
- Golfing
- Swimming
- Birdwatching
- Scenic Rail Tour
- Horseback Riding
- Shopping
Places to Visit
- Lehigh Gorge State Park
- Mauch Chunk Lake Park
- Old Jail Museum
- Asa Packer Mansion
- Mauch Chunk Opera House
- Jim Thorpe Memorial Park
- Switchback Gravity Rail
- SteamTown National Historic Site
- St. Mark’s & St. John’s Episcopal Church
Top Restaurants
- Muggles Mug
- Ariella at the Stabin Museum
- Curiosities Coffee and Icehouse
- Stone Row Pub & Eatery
- Marion Hose Bar
- Molly Maguire’s Irish Pub and SteakHouse
- Broadway Grille & Underground
- Notch Eight Craft House
Places to Stay
Jim Thorpe is a big town with a lot of things to see and experience, so it is imperative to know the type of accommodations available in Jim Thorpe.
- Hotels
- Resorts
- Cozy Cabins
- Cottages
- Villas
- Mansions
- Farmhouse
- Lakefront Rentals
- Condos
- B&B
Conclusion
James Francis Thorpe’s success as an Olympian and sportsperson was simply extraordinary and his legacy will live through his achievements and legends which are deeply intertwined with the town renamed after him.
Categories: News
Source: thpttranhungdao.edu.vn/en/
