Some friends of mine in New Jersey encouraged me to move to Jim Thorpe, PA, one of the most beautiful towns in the US. I am already in southwest PA. Might retire to Jim Thorpe, PA one day.
I think I want to move to Pennsylvania😊👌🏻Just to be able to drive around and see a mountain in the distance would be great but also the history and beauty😊
I grew up around Valley Forge. We visit up around Jim Thorpe/Pocono area...my sister lives there. I also lived in Lancaster...which also has a lot of history..not to mention the Amish..and it's a beautiful place also! It's funny how you don't realize the history in an area when you live there! We mustn't forget Philly...its about 30 minutes from Valley Forge. Lots of history and beauty...though we can't forget it's a city!
@@rosiegirl2485 I agree. It took me moving away and then moving home to realize all the culture there. But I ran out of time to do everything because of covid.
Lifelong resident... it's beautiful, safe from a lot of natural disasters. the worst thing is it can be a bit boring depending on where you live/what you like to do
Jim growing up in one of those nightmare residential schools and still making something of his life is amazing. That he was able to over come all the horrors is the true testament to his strength
Back in 1990, when I was a senior in college, I lied my way into the prison (it was still active then). I wanted to see the cell with the hand print so I said I was a reporter for a newspaper, which is ironic because I actually spent the next 25 years in newspapers after I graduated. Anyway, I took a few photos of the handprint which really looked kind of fake. It was larger than a human hand, almost like it was a heavy glove dipped in paint. I still have the photos and I think the cell is still off-limits, even if you take the tour. But at least I can say I broke INTO prison.
If you do get a chance you should take a tour of that church . The stain glass windows in it were made by Tiffany . There is an elevator in it that Mrs. Packer had installed, one of the first elevators produced by the company Otis.
I should of watch the whole video before leaving an remark. Sean Counery, who we just lost, played James McParlan nin the movie. The Molly Mcguires. The town is a lot bigger then I thought it would be. Again thanks for the tour and I love old buidings . Some time ride though Williamsport Fourth Street, Many mansions of the Lumber Millionaires tht lived there .
Asa Packer - Built the Lehigh Canal, then sold it while keeping a right of way alongside. Then built the Lehigh Valley Railroad in the right of way. Then sold the LVRR. Founded Lehigh University and retired to what is now Jim Thorpe. Jim Thorpe was one of my favorite places to visit when I was at Lehigh. It's even nicer now.
Absolutely in love with this town!!! Like Jon I really appreciate architecture. This old timey town is just perfect! Lutheran church with bell, clock tower. Just all the beautiful bldgs, mansions, houses, history, oh my goodness!!! The tourist train & view was magnificent!!!! I am with you on the clowns Cliff all the way. I do however collect old dolls though. Have loved dolls since I was a little girl. Thank you & Jon for taking me with. This was just incredible!!!! I know fibromyalgia can be very painful. I hope Jon started feeling better. Please tell him for me. Thanks again, this was Amazing!!!🥰💖❤
gotta hike up to Flafstaff...which is above town and overlooks the whole town...once was a dance hall, roller rink..theres an old cable that desends down and up from the road near town..
would go there with my camp as a child..A-treat sign would greet us on the way into town and can be seen from flagstaff. a-treat an flagstaff may no longer be there..
@@rq1107 i remember sitting outside of it and a guy who drew comics for dc comics was there and drew all the kids a pencil sketch of the their favorite super hero..i got sergeant rock..there also was a long stair well that climbed to the top of the building and then the view went to 180..this was in the early 80's..
Living in the Southwest U.S., we rarely have the chance to see such deep colors and lush foliage. The whole video was spectacular. Thank you for sharing your experience.
Thank you so much for the tour of Jim Thorp. I did'nt realize. How beautiful and antique it is I'm OLDER NOW DON'T GET OUT. ANYMORE SO I enjoy your videoI was nice.
Excellent tour of one of my favorite towns! The new railroad bridge for Reading & Northern was under construction in November 2019 when I road the scenic railway but opened by the time I visited the state park in August 2020. The rail trail above the stone steps you found on the west end of town is what used to be the Mauch Chunk Gravity Railroad. So much history in that town! I need to get back up there to do more walking through town, and when things reopen I can't wait to take the tours.
Thanks for highlighting our town. Many other great things to see and do...feel free to come back. The stain glass in St Marks is worth a look see in itself (look it up). I spend most of my time biking on the trails around the town. A trip on the D&L through the gorge is always beautiful.
Thank you for this episode. I had often heard the history of Jim Thorpe but never saw the area. I am originally from western PA, but now live in Charleston, SC.
Never! Thomas Ravenel is a poor excuse for an adult. He would be asking if customers want fries with their order if it wasnt for his famous father. He rides on his father's coattails!
Love Jim Thorpe. I go there often to just walk around. I took the tour of the Packer mansion, the inside is even more magnificent then the outside. Asa Packer also founded Lehigh University in my hometown of Bethlehem. Love your channel, keep up the good work. I'm binge watching your A.T. videos as I section hike the trail in PA.
That was a great video. I hope you go back and spend the day. 100 mile view and the Mauch Chung lake are amazing. Also Flagstaff mountain overlook is awesome. Thanks for sharing.
It was great having such a long video. The whole area was just gorgeous. Loved the Autumn 🍂 colours. I agree with John the architecture was stunning, especially the stone buildings. Would be nice living in a Packer mansion what a view. Tunnel fantastic and you gave a train 🚂 that really made it for me. Thanks so much for taking me along. P,ease stay safe and take care
Jim Thorpe's third ex-wife literally stole his body from his family right in the middle of his Sac & Fox tribal ceremony. She held the Catholic service he had wanted at St. Benedict Church in Shawnee, Oklahoma, my home town. She had no reason to take his body from his family. The Sac and Fox ceremony was to continue through the night, ending in the morning. They were planning to hold the burial mass that morning after his tribal rites but she interrupted those to take his body. Rather than return him to his family for burial, she ended up taking him in his casket until she literally sold him to the townships that combined and changed their name to Jim Thorpe so they could use him as a tourist attraction. His sons tried to bring him home but the town makes too much revenue from him apparently. It's sad & disrespectful that he cannot rest in peace with his family in his native soil.
hi cliff gt video searching history j Thorpe love d Churches was n Catholic church tues. a gt help n lockdown hi n tks to friend john like ur humour n positivity it helps me i get depressed brian Ireland stay safe
old time jim thorpers call themselves "chunkers" some did not agree with the name change. This place is 10 minutes from my home. the hiking and biking trails in this area are epic, I know you have visited some of them. "place of the bear" is apt, tons of black bear in the area.
Where you guys were near the tunnel off to the right as you're looking out of the tunnel on the shore are remains of the Hotel Wahnetah. It has been gone since the early 1900s but supposedly some ruins are still there. Also where you crossed the bridge down off the trail next to the river is a very complete canal lock that is very cool to see!
The abandoned red building you and John saw from the Nesquehoning bridge was originally a signal house back when the CNJ had a yard along the hillside there. Here's a view looking from the other direction. archives.anthraciterailroads.org/view_image.php?photoID=817
The parking lot you parked in across from the Packer Mansions was the site of the Leisenring mansion which was disassembled and moved to the east side. It is on Center St, and is now a bnb. The park next to the lot(Kemmerer Park) was the site of the Kemmerer mansion
You are allowed to walk around the mansion even if its closed. Great views from the porch. The dilapidated gray home to the left of Asas mansion was the servants home
We have a great tunnel in mountain top that goes underneath 81. It was a railroad tunnel. It has a creek above that leaks and it is ankle deep in water but you can go a looong way until the entrance disappears. Has railroad ties in the wall. It son state game lands and I love exploring it. You should visit.
Thanks for this interesting video! I'm a big fan of Jim Thorpe and Native Americans in general. Im glad I found your channel. You Dave Jay an R.J. are great guys and I appreciate what your channel is about.
Great video! I am planning a trip to Jim Thorpe Camping resort this summer. Your video gave me many things to put on my to-do list. I am also going to Gettysburg to camp also. I see you have a video of this area also. Thanks for the videos.
I’m really enjoying your tours. I moved to Florida from Ohio and miss the Fall season up North, and all the historical sites. I feel like I just took a little trip “home”😁
I definitely understand how John feels as I also have fibromyalgia!!! It's is no fun at all. Great adventure Cliff and John!!! I enjoyed it very much!!! Thank you for sharing Cliff!!! Take care, stay safe and God bless you both!!!
I went to Jim Thorpe during the week last summer and almost all the shops where closed , i asked one that was open why that was and was told its not worth being open on weekdays not as many people as there used to be and many shop owners have other jobs on weekdays as they cant live on what they earn in a small shop. I try to get to Jim Thorpe when i get down to my home state of Pa. I live in Canada for the last 38 years , thinking of moving back as the winters are sooo cold didnt bother me when i was younger but now it is . I took a tour of the old jail was disappointed it was dirty inside a general lack of care as was the Packer house , that was some years ago may have improved . Wanted to tour the church on Race St. but it was closed like everything else .
Wow! Thank you. I never knew where Mr Thorpe was finally laid to rest. It is amazing that he survived Carlisle, so many native children didn't. Those residential schools were horrible place. Beautiful scenery. Our trees were bare by the end of October for the most part.
Beautiful vlog. Thanks for taking me along. Love when a town perseveres the old history. One thing I have learned about historical district. Lot the really bug houses was made into small apartments. As I travel I see lot of the old homes for sale, they tell you, you cannot add on or change the houses without permissions. In Macon ta. A Dr was allowed to by a house in a historical part of town. She added on a deck the city council and historical society was very upset. Shed bought the house. But since she had already finished the work. They made acception I. She promised not to do any more additions. The streets are small. Most have no driveways so you have to park on the streets. Kind of dangerous and only one car can pass due to homeowners have park on their side of the streets. Some of the homes are either apartments or office buildings, some lawyer offices and Dr buildings, though I love these areas houses are very close together. I'd hate have my car hit and have pay for the damages due to most hut and leave the scene. One those clowns was cute the other just scary ugly. I don't have a problem with dolls. Unless they creepy looking.it was nice to see the churches. True they don't make houses and churches like that anymore. Hope more do buy these home either live in them or make a business. But don't tear them down. They are part of history. A lot should be saved. Thanks for taking the time to show us these location.its getting darker earlier. Hopefully u will continue to show us these places. I appreciate it. Love, respect, and positivity always. Take care be safe. Afa. Neita James.:-) .
Yes I like old churches and schools as well. I also love the old country churches and school houses like the one room and ghost town schools and churches.
One of the best places to visit! The last time I was there the road to RR tunnel was dirt! Next time, if you can go inside church on Race St, you will be amazed and surprised! Also, tour of mansion & jail is well worth it! I walked all day there, up the road to castle and then farther to some lake/trail at top of hill. Not too far from my home, so I must revisit soon. Wonderful place, really enjoyed the video!
Make sure to look into the history of the Wahnetah Hotel which was across the river on the right side of the turn hole tunnel and near Gaitanos pizza there was once a brewery(Schweibinz Brewery) which closed and supposedly beneath the street is the old barrels sealed there.
great job- can't wait to go back! The old cemetery is a great attraction; views are awesome. Would love to know how to ride that Reading Train! Wonder if it's the tourist train that leaves from Jim Thorpe Tourist Center....
This is a great vid. Well worth the time to watch. We spent much time in the area. Have you checked out Boulder Field in nearby Hickory Run State Park and the Lehigh Gorge State Park.
The red metal roof on the asa packer mansion the company I worked for Roslyn supply company put it on. They are out of business now. But I drove the boom truck and delivered roofing and siding and other stuff. My buddy delivered the roof there
