Item 42: Engraving titled, “View of the Chute at Mauch Chunk,” by Amos Doolittle, no date
Item — Box: 21, Folder: 42
Dates
- Created: no date
Creator
- Doolittle, Amos, 1754 – 1832 (Person)
Access:
All series and subseries within this collection are open for research, with the exception of a few files within the Academia series that are restricted. The Academia series contains financial and sensitive institutional records from Wilkes College, and financial report records from Princeton University that will remain restricted for 80 years upon creation.
Extent
1 items
Language of Materials
From the Collection: English
Type of Material:
Engraving
Condition Note:
Good
Measurements:
4 ⅝ in. x 3 ½ in.
Title:
View of the Chute at Mauch Chunk
Description:
An engraving of the coal chute in Mauch Chunk, Pennsylvania. There is a large mountain leading down to some houses and a treeline. The coal chute was used to transport coal from wagon to ark. It would extend down the mountain, as seen in this engraving, and travel to where it would be loaded and shipped away for transport. Referred to as the “Switzerland of America,” Mauch Chunk was known for its mountainous scenic views along the line of the Switchback Railroad and Lehigh Valley Railroad. It is still attracting tourists to see the beautiful, mountainous views. Now referred to as Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania since 1954, Mauch Chunk is located in Carbon County, Pennsylvania. It is known for the burial site of the Native American athlete, Jim Thorpe. It is settled in the Pocono Mountains about 29 miles northwest of Allentown. Mauch Chunk became the center for coal transportation for much of the great northeastern Pennsylvania anthracite fields, and one of the wealthiest communities in America. But demand for anthracite declined steadily after World War I, and Mauch Chunk — now Jim Thorpe — declined with it until the resurgence of tourism in the 1980s. According to Valley Views of Northeastern Pennsylvania by Gilbert S. McClintock, “A view showing the chute which brought the coal down to the river from the Summit Hill mine strippings [...]. Part of a larger print entitled “Map showing the position of Coal beds now exposed in the Mauch Chunk Coal Regions. The print also includes an “Imaginary Cross Section of the Mountain at the Great Coal Mine.” This print was created by Amos Doolittle. Amos Doolittle was born May 18, 1754 and was an American engraver and silversmith, known as “The Revere of Connecticut.” Made in New Haven, Connecticut, his engravings included portraits and maps. Depicting the Battles of Lexington and Concord, which were based upon his first-hand experiences of the battlefield, received him fame. He later died January 30, 1832.For more information on works by Amos Doolittle, please visit the Library of Congress’ digital collections.
Location:
Mauch Chunk at Jim Thorpe
Transcription:
View of the Chute at Mauch Chunk.
A. Doolittle
Creator
- Doolittle, Amos, 1754 – 1832 (Person)
Repository Details
Part of the Wilkes University Archives Repository
Contact:
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu
84 W South St.
Wilkes-Barre PA 18701 US
570-408-2000
570-408-7823 (Fax)
ask.archives@wilkes.edu