Spent this past Sunday walking around Jim Thorpe via R&N 425 and just want to throw this out there. If Asa was the founder of The Lehigh Valley RR, why did he choose to have his mansion built overlooking The CNJ rather than LV which was his RR and across the river? Same for Harry.

Better neighborhood.

Think about the time period those structures were built and then look at the size of the trees that are growing there today. Most of the mountain had been logged off for mine props when they built their homes. The view across the river to the Lehigh Valley tracks would have been clear and spectacular. Also, living in town had many advantages in the day of the horse and buggy. I can not find a timeline of when the CNJ was built, perhaps it wasn't even in existence when they built their homes on the hillside.

(I have never actually been to Jim Thorpe..so I could be way off base here!) ;)
but having seen many LV photos of the area..

Being across the river from the LV, couldnt they actually see the LV *better* than if they had been on the same side of the valley?

being on the same side as the CNJ, the CNJ is somewhat hidden at the bottom of the hill..while the LV across the river is in plain view from the front porch of the mansion.

I always assumed thats why Asa Packer placed his mansion where he did..
because that offered the best view of his railroad..not necessarily the closest view, but a sweeping panorama of the railroad across the river, at the base of the mountain, trains coming around the big curve with nothing but pristine mountainside behind them.

if he had been on the same side as the LV, he wouldnt see as much of the railroad..
and the view wouldnt have been as nice..

Scot

I can't remember exactly when the original portion of the Asa Packer home was constructed, other than I'm certain it was near the beginning of the Civil War. The Lehigh & Susquehanna, which was the predecessor road that became part of the CNJ was not completed into Mauch Chunk until 1866, 14 years after Mr. Packer began building his line to the same in 1852. So, his was the only game in town when he built his home.

Brendan, you are spot on, the Packer family moved in to the house in October 1861.