What is Jim Thorpe PA Like....What do you do there?

Answer 1

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 County6. The towns 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 incribed 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.

Answer 2

I am from MS and I went there once while staying in the Poconos. It was a very nice town. I toured an old home that was very interesting. We also went down to the town and had a beer at a local pub. We saw the Jim Thorpe monument. It was a nice area but I'm not sure that there would be a lot to do for more than one day.

Answer 3

It is a nature-ish area...slow-paced and pretty. I got a lovely speeding ticket there about 20 years ago!

Answer 4

Its haunted... a lot. Oh, and its named after a famous swimmer. I think he's buried there.