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Pocono News Section
One Tank Trip: Jim Thorpe
One Tank Trip: Jim Thorpe - Friday, August 22, 2008 at 1:52PM EST
Reported by: Jeff Chirico
Friday, Aug 22, 2008 @ 01:52pm EST
JIM THORPE, CARBON COUNTY --In 1912, another American won Olympic gold in the decathlon. And although he died more than a half century ago --you've probably heard of him. Jim Thorpe. Tonight, Jeff Chirico takes this summer's final one tank trip to the town that proudly bares his name.
Jim Thorpe is charming and has something for everyone. But perhaps what's so unique about it is how it took it's name. So off we go to carbon county and a town that's synonymous with Olympic greatness.
It's a quaint mountain village with a legendary name. Dan Hugos of the Jim Thorpe Chamber of Commerce says "Jim Thorpe in a way is one of the world's first world-class athletes." And the town has become a world-class tourist spot known for its rich culture, natural beauty, and Victorian architecture.
Idalia Valentin of Langhorne says "I love the area. I like the different attractions. Rita Hamilton of Toronto says "you get the feeling if there were no cars here you could see yourself 100 to 150 years ago."
You can shop the boutiques, raft the river or tour the mansion of the town's founder. Visitors are mystified in the old jail where the hand print of an executed prisoner has remained on a cell wall since 1871.
Fifty-five years ago, this old coal mining town, then called Mauch Chunk was struggling. So was Jim Thorpe. Hugos says "he struggled with alcoholism." Thorpe had been stripped of two Olympic gold medals because he had played semi-pro baseball. The Oklahoma-native died penniless in 1953.
Hugos says “when he died his wife was searching for a suitable memorial. And Mauch Chunk was looking to boost tourism. "So she and local leaders came up with a plan to move Jim Thorpe's body here." And the town agreed to build a memorial. Jim Thorpe's buried right behind me. And over here a statue to one of the world's greatest athletes.
Here, Thorpe gets his due honor and the town --a golden name. "Any interest in changing it to Michael Phelps? Michael Phelps will have to sell his story very convincingly for us to change our name from Jim Thorpe which is a historic character we love. But I hope Michael Phelps gets his town."
For more information on what you can see, do, and experience in Jim Thorpe check out these websites.
Asa Packer Mansion
Pocono Whitewater Adventures
Jim Thorpe Adventures
Pocono Whitewater Rafting
Mauch Chunk Lake Park
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