26 Small American Towns With Secret Celebrity Connections

24. Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania: A Town Named for an Athletic Legend

In a unique and controversial move, the struggling coal towns of Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk renamed themselves Jim Thorpe in 1954. They struck a deal with the widow of the legendary Native American Olympian (hailed as one of the 20th century's greatest athletes) to build his memorial and entomb his remains there, hoping to attract tourism. Today, the town thrives, its identity intertwined with Thorpe's complex legacy. It serves as a fascinating, if debated, example of how a small town sought revitalization by adopting the name and spirit of an American icon.