Mauch Chunk or "Bear Mountain" was founded in 1818 then was renamed Jim Thorpe in 1954 to honor the legendary Native American Olympic athlete who's body was buried there.
Rich in history, Mauch Chunk is also well known for the 1876 trials of seven Irish coal miners known as the Molly Maguires. A fight for better working conditions resulted in the miners being accused of murder by the mining companies who were unwilling to change their ways. The end result was seven minors being hung in the streets of Mauch Chunk starting in 1877.
Nestled in the Lehigh Gorge and surrounded by mountains, Jim Thorpe appropriately earned the nickname "The Switzerland of America" and is consistently ranked as one of the most beautiful and romantic towns in the Poconos and even in the US. Shop-lined streets and award-winning restaurants make this a great place for a weekend getaway. In Jim Thorpe, you can spend the day white water rafting or hiking one of the many nearby trails then finish off the night with a five-star dinner and some light shopping at one of the many boutiques.