The lush, mountainous landscape inhabited by the Lenape Indians was forever changed by the discovery and mining of “black diamonds” – anthracite coal – by early European settlers and their subsequent scramble to build waterways and railroads to transport coal to the eastern seaboard cities. Determination and ingenuity gave rise to industrial marvels such as the unique Switchback Gravity Railroad while the settlement of Mauch Chunk grew and flourished in its Victorian golden age. Following a period of decline the town of Mauch Chunk was renamed and revived as the town of Jim Thorpe – repository for the body of the great Native-American Olympian. Struggle, prosperity, decline and revival; we invite visitors to experience the legacy, architecture and natural beauty that is today’s Jim Thorpe.