Built in 1861, this Victorian Italianate architecture-style home was constructed over a span of two…read moreyears at a total cost of $14,000 dollars. The Asa Packer Mansion listed as a National Historic Landmark was the home of philanthropist, railroad magnate, and founder of Lehigh University, Asa Packer, from Oct. 16, 1861, to Oct. 29, 1912. Located in Jim Thorpe, this building is recognized by a red-ribbed tin roof and a central cupola proudly atop Packer Hill with the commanding stunning views of the surrounding Pocono Mountains, where my partner, his aunt and I came for a tour today. Tickets were easily available and reasonably priced for the 1pm tour, which covered the entirety of the first and second floors. Our tour guide was a young lady (she mentioned she is a senior in high school) who obviously loves her job and is personally interested in the history of the mansion and family. From the furniture, woodwork, and stained glass to the artwork, she spoke about the history or significance. The mansion is not a restoration where pictures and video are prohibited inside. An amazing walk back in time, for which we can recommend this place.

This was absolutely the highlight of our day in Jim Thorpe! Such a stunning home with amazing…read morehistory and it's incredibly well preserved. Our tour guide was very passionate about the subject and brought the story of the home to life. We learned so much about Asa Packer and his family as well as his contributions to the town itself. I highly recommend visiting the mansion. It's very affordable and you won't regret it. The setting is very scenic as it's set atop a gorgeous hill overlooking the region. Bonus points if you have the opportunity to visit during the fall season. You'll be surrounded by the most beautiful foliage. But very important to note, accessing the museum means walking up the hill and some stairs. It's a short walk but could be taxing for some. Very much worth your efforts though!

The completed courthouse was opened in May 1894. This was to be the main courthouse for Carbon…read moreCounty and the 3rd such courthouse for the town itself. It was based on the design of the Big Ben Clock tower in London, England. Many of the features inside the courthouse featured many ornate pieces including: fireplaces, vaulted ceilings, stained glass, ornate English Wainscoting, adamant wall plaster and Mintons Tile that ordained the hallways. The exterior was based on the Romanesque architecture revival and sandstone from Rockport, in Northern Carbon County. The brass bell in the tower was cast at McShane Bell Foundry Baltimore, Maryland from an earlier cast in 1844 weighing in at 2,122 lbs. Before this present day courthouse for the county seat, there was the 1st courthouse, which was basically the converted Company Store Building or "Old Store". Donated over to the town itself from the founders of the Lehigh Coal and Navigation Company, it was revamped into a courthouse in 1843. Housing the county row offices on the 1st floor and the courtroom on the 2nd Floor.

The guy at the front who deals with customers is an unpleasant experience! He back talks to…read morecustomers just trying to buy stamps and pick up Priority Mail packages. He shows a contempt for both customers and his job. Might. Be. Time. For a change!! The woman who fills in is so much nicer to deal with. And my mail carrier Betty is a sweetheart! Hard worker. Pleasant.

This is a great memorial to Jim Thorpe, located in this town which has decided to name itself after…read morehim even though Jim Thorpe never lived or even visited here. His remains, and a giant memorial stone, sit in the center, and are surrounded by statues of him as a football player and a triathlete. The statue of him playing baseball is still under construction, still under construction but if it's as nice as the other two, it will be a great addition. We spent at least 30 minutes here and I learned a lot about Jim Thorpe. I especially liked the section that discussed his twin brother and the thunder and lightning sculpture. I came away from this memorial with great respect for Jim Thorpe and utter disgust for his third wife who would sell his remains to this town to make a quick buck against his family's wishes. I'm also pretty disgusted with a town and it's people who would pull a stunt like this just to get a little extra tourism. Jim Thorpe seems to have been a philanthropic and kind person who worked hard and genuinely cared about other people. It's sad to think that he will spend eternity in a strange place so a few people could make some quick cash off of all he achieved.

The Jim Thorpe Memorial is located on the far side of town, directly off Route 903. Parking is…read morelocated alongside the memorial on a gravel strip. Located here are his grave, two statues, a sculpture with information boards, and an additional piece yet to be revealed. The area is quaint and quiet for the most part. Of the statues, one commemorates his participation in Football, with the other commemorating his participation in amateur athletics. The sculpture with the information boards was deigned by Kenrick N. Higa, but built by students at the local vocational tech school. Information boards surrounding the sculpture provide detailed information about Thorpe and have been kept updated. Two minor concerns I would mention is the grave could use better sealing around it, and some of the concrete sidewalks are starting to wear. Is the Jim Thorpe Memorial worth checking out if traveling though the area? Yes, it's worth stopping by. On the other hand, if you are making a special trip here, you need to plan other activities around the area as a stop here will only take around 15-30 minutes.

Being new to the area I had to get a package that was too heavy and large for our mailbox to be…read moredelivered. The kind young lady at the post office carried it out for me and placed it in my truck.