Who is buried in Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania?

Back in the 1950s, there was a game show hosted by Groucho Marx called You Bet Your Life. where contestants would earn money by answering questions.  If a contestant did really poorly, Groucho would ask them an easy consolation question like the famous "Who is buried in Grant's Tomb," so that the contestant would go home with at least a little money.

(You Bet Your Life)

Interestingly enough, when Grant died, there was a little controversy over where his remains should be placed.  Many in the public wanted his body to be placed in Washington, but Grant's widow wanted them to remain in New York City where they had been living.  Julia Grant would not budge and a grand mausoleum was constructed in New York with fervent support from State officials.

(Grant's Tomb)

Jim Thorpe's widow had the opposite problem.  When the great olympian (winner of the gold medal in both the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Olympics) died in 1956, the State of Oklahoma was not quick to erect a monument to their native son, so Thorpe's widow cut a deal with some publicity seeking Pennsylvanians.  In exchange for changing their name to Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, and building a monument to Thorpe, the towns of Mauch Chunk and East Mauch Chunk, would receive the remains of the athlete.

(Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania)

So today, Jim Thorpe, now rests in a town that he never visited during his life, but one that bears his name.  His tomb is surrounded by a statue commemorating his football skill and a modern art sculpture titled, "Spirit of Thunder and Lightning," as well as several plaques commemorating his life and accomplishments.  Thorpe's remains are interred above soil from Oklahoma and the Olympic Stadium in Stockholm (site of the 1912 Olympics).

(Jim Thorpe Memorial)

Interestingly enough, last year, Thorpe's son, Jack Thorpe, sued Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania, to have his father's remains reinterred in Oklahoma.

(Spirit of Thunder and Lightning)