PRINTER'S NO. 3333
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
830
Session of
2018
INTRODUCED BY HEFFLEY, HENNESSEY, DUSH, SONNEY, NEILSON,
MACKENZIE, DiGIROLAMO, READSHAW, MILLARD, KAVULICH, WARD,
O'NEILL, BARBIN, CORBIN, SCHLEGEL CULVER, V. BROWN, KINSEY,
YOUNGBLOOD, MURT, LONGIETTI, HAHN, JOZWIAK, SAYLOR, EVERETT,
MARSICO, WATSON, KLUNK AND DRISCOLL, APRIL 16, 2018
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
APRIL 16, 2018
A RESOLUTION
Commemorating the 200th anniversary of the founding of the
Borough of Jim Thorpe, formerly known as Mauch Chunk.
WHEREAS, Mauch Chunk, now known as the Borough of Jim Thorpe,
is nestled in the beautiful Lehigh Gorge, surrounded by Mount
Pisgah, Bear Mountain and Flagstaff Mountain, along the wilds of
the Lehigh River; and
WHEREAS, Mauch Chunk was founded in 1818 by Josiah White and
Erskine Hazard with a lease and later purchase of coal lands
with a grant of authority from the Pennsylvania General Assembly
establishing the town; and
WHEREAS, The founders of Mauch Chunk turned their attention
to improving the navigation of the Lehigh River by means of a
system of bear trap locks, which shaped the course of the
Industrial Revolution in Pennsylvania and contributed to
innovation in transportation, manufacturing and the use of
natural resources; and
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WHEREAS, In 1827, the switchback railway in the area was
built on an old wagon road to carry the coal from Summit Hill to
the Lehigh River and eventually carried tourists on what is said
to have been the first roller coaster; and
WHEREAS, In 1843, Carbon County was established from parts of
Northampton County and Monroe County, and Mauch Chunk was named
the county seat; and
WHEREAS, In 1846, Mauch Chunk was incorporated as a borough;
and
WHEREAS, The Delaware, Lehigh, Schuylkill and Susquehanna
Railroad, later named the Lehigh Valley Railroad, was authorized
by the Pennsylvania General Assembly to run from Mauch Chunk to
Easton; and
WHEREAS, As the reach of the Lehigh Valley Railroad grew
during the golden age of the Industrial Revolution, it carried
not only coal but travelers from Philadelphia and New York to
Mauch Chunk, whose beauty drew them to the area; and
WHEREAS, Mauch Chunk became a major tourist destination,
second only to Niagara Falls; and
WHEREAS, Mauch Chunk was home to millionaire philanthropist
Asa Packer, builder of the Lehigh Valley Railroad, a member of
the House of Representatives of Pennsylvania, a member of the
United States House of Representatives and founder of Lehigh
University; and
WHEREAS, Asa Packer was also instrumental in the development
of the architectural landscape of Mauch Chunk, the mansions on
Packer Hill, Stone Row on historic Race Street and St. Mark's
Episcopal Church; and
WHEREAS, Mauch Chunk was central to the labor movement for
mine workers as the location of one of the trials of members of
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the Molly Maguires, an Irish immigrant labor organization, and
the location of subsequent hangings at the Carbon County Jail in
1877; and
WHEREAS, As industry grew, declined and evolved, so did Mauch
Chunk, once a supply center and shipping point for many large
collieries and railroad shops; and
WHEREAS, Mauch Chunk was home to other industries, including
silk mills, tanneries and dress and purse factories; and
WHEREAS, In 1954, Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk voted to
merge and rename itself Jim Thorpe after the legendary Olympic
athlete, who is now laid to rest there; and
WHEREAS, In 1977, the Old Mauch Chunk Historic District,
comprised of Broadway and Race Streets, was listed on the
National Register of Historic Places; and
WHEREAS, Four years later in 1981, the Borough of Jim Thorpe
was the first to take advantage of the State's Main Street
downtown revitalization program, which helped to restore
historically significant Victorian-era buildings on Broadway
Street; and
WHEREAS, Today, the beauty of the past, both natural and
architectural, continue to sustain the Borough of Jim Thorpe
with a strong and growing tourism industry; and
WHEREAS, The Borough of Jim Thorpe is consistently ranked on
national media "best" lists and recognized among the most fun,
most beautiful, most romantic and best adventure towns to visit;
and
WHEREAS, The Borough of Jim Thorpe has been called the
"Switzerland of America" due to its picturesque and breathtaking
scenery, location in the mountains and architecture; and
WHEREAS, The Borough of Jim Thorpe serves as the county seat
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of Carbon County; and
WHEREAS, The Borough of Jim Thorpe is teeming with history,
romance and family fun, where visitors can enjoy the walkable
downtown accommodations, shops, restaurants, pubs, wine-tasting,
museums, train rides and live entertainment, along with all of
the outdoor adventure which one would expect to find in the
Pocono Mountains; and
WHEREAS, The Jim Thorpe Tourism Agency, in cooperation with
the Mauch Chunk Museum and Cultural Center, is celebrating the
history of the town and its people with reunions, special
events, tours and exhibits, a bicentennial Victorian ball, an
Old Home Week picnic, fireworks and oral history and
genealogical projects; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives commemorate the
200th anniversary of the founding of the Borough of Jim Thorpe,
formerly known as Mauch Chunk.
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