In response to Thorpe's widow's search for a memorial for him, two Pennsylvania communities—Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk—joined by incorporating as Jim Thorpe in the mid-1950s. The new community gave the man a final and fitting memorial, while also gaining economic stability for itself. Jim Thorpe was reinstated in the Olympic records in 1982, and the medals he won in the 1912 games were presented to his family. The Jim Thorpe Memorial is a half-mile east on SR 903.
St. Mark's & St. John's Episcopal Church , on Race Street, contains Italian marble altars, brass gas standards flanking the baptismal font and Tiffany stained-glass windows. Guided tours are available Memorial Day weekend through October; phone (570) 325-2241.
Mauch Chunk Lake Park offers recreational opportunities, including picnicking, hiking, boating, fishing, swimming and cross-country skiing.
Concerts are often held at Penn's Peak at 325 Maury Rd.; phone (610) 826-9000 or (866) 605-7325.
Things to Do
Asa Packer Mansion
Recreational Activities