Historic Jim Thorpe Buildings with Irish Connections
Compiled by Betty Lou McBride, Old Jail Museum | 128 W Broadway
Mauch Chunk and Ireland have a long connection dating back to the 1800’s when immigrants from Ireland arrived to work in the near-by coal mines and to later work on the Lehigh Canal and the railroads. The Molly Maguies was a name given to the Irish coal miners who, in the 1800s, worked for higher wages and safer working conditions in the anthracite coal mines of northeast Pennsylvania. During the struggle the miners known as the Mollies were blamed for many acts of violence, often with no evidence and much prejudice.
In 1877, 1878 and 1879 seven accused Molly Maguires were arrested and hanged in Mauch Chunk (now Jim Thorpe). Several current Jim Thorpe locations are connected to the Molly Maguires story.
Where the Molly Maguires were Arraigned
46 Broadway | Rainbows End
Site of Magistrate’s office where Molly Maguires were arraigned. Presently ice cream and candy store.
Where Coffins for Molly Maguires were Made
44 Broadway | Treasure Shop (1849)
Original site of Yeager Brothers Woodworking store where coffins for several Molly Maguires were made.
1900-1979 Home of Fraternal Order of Eagles.
1980-present - Irish import and gift shop.
Home of the Trial Prosecutor Paid by a Coal Company
66 Broadway | Albright Mansion (Formerly Encore Restaurant)
Home of the attorney Charles Albright who was appointed prosecutor in several Molly Maguire trials after Commonwealth prosecutor was removed from the cases.
Where Seven Molly Maguires were Hanged
128 W Broadway | Old Jail Museum (1871)
Carbon County Prison until 1995. Site of the hanging of seven Irish coal miners known as Molly Maguires in the 1870s. Contains famous handprint on the wall of miner proclaiming his
innocence before hanging. Tours May - Oct. National Register of Historic Places.
Site of Former Courthouse where Molly Maguires were Tried
Broadway & Susquehanna St | Carbon County Courthouse (1893)
Designed by L.S. Jacoby. Victorian style oak paneled courtroom features elaborate spindled backdrop and stained-glass skylight. Courtroom used in movie “The Molly Maguires” (Paramount 1969) National Register of Historic Places.
Home of Owner of Railroad with Coal Mine Connection
Packer Hill Rd | Asa Packer Mansion (1861)
Italianate mansion of Asa Packer, local pioneer and founder of the Lehigh Valley Railroad and Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA. Connected to coal mines through railroad ownership. Tours seasonally. National Landmark Status.
Church Built to Serve Irish Catholics
160 W Broadway | Immaculate Conception Catholic Church
Founded 1848 to serve the growing Irish Catholic population. Original church constructed 1850. Present church built 1906. Irish Romanesque style with altars of Carrara marble. Stained glass windows by Franz Meyer of Munich, Germany.
