He didn’t actually live in the Poconos either, read the entire story on ESPN on how he ended up being memorialized in the Poconos and had a town renamed after his legacy. In addition to his gold medals at the Olympics, he also played professional football, baseball, and basketball. He won two gold medals during the 1912 Summer Olympics in the decathlon and pentathlon.

He was considered one of the most versatile athletes as he played multiple sports. Who is Jim Thorpe? James Francis Thorpe was a famous American athlete and the first Native American to win a gold medal for the United States in the Olympic Games. We road into this charming mountain town on the Lehigh Gorge Scenic Railway and fell in love! Visit and you’ll see why it’s called the “Switzerland of America,” with mountain views, winding rivers, and beautiful Victorian architecture.įun fact: the 200-year-old town was originally called Mauch Chunk, after an old Lenape name for the area meaning “Bear Place.” In fact, the mining and logging town wasn’t called Jim Thorpe until 1953! In a strange turn of events, the Olympic medalist’s widow paid to have the town renamed in his honor. In the heart of the Pennsylvania Poconos is Jim Thorpe, about 30 miles north of Allentown.

Olate dogs mauch chunk opera house