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EAST
PRESERVING AN UNRIVALED ATHLETIC LEGACY
Anita Thorpe is always excited to show people her grandfather’ s home.
A log cabin onsite resembles the cabin where Thorpe was born.
Just recently, people from California, Montana and Texas have stopped by the Jim Thorpe Home in Yale to get a glimpse inside the life of Jim Thorpe, and Anita eagerly tells them about the home and shares stories about her grandfather. Jim Thorpe, a member of the Sac and Fox Nation, cemented himself as one of the greatest athletes in history when he won gold medals in the pentathlon and decathlon at the 1912 Olympic Games in Stockholm, Sweden – becoming the United State’ s first Native American gold medalist. That’ s without even mentioning his time as a professional baseball player and football All-American.
“ His story is incredible,” Anita Thorpe said.“ You won’ t be able to see it again, because athletes, they are specialized now. History will never see another Jim Thorpe, as far as baseball, track and field, football. Athletes just aren’ t trained that way anymore.”
The Jim Thorpe Home, located at 706 E. Boston Ave. in Yale, was the only home he ever owned. From 1917-23, Jim Thorpe lived there with his wife, Iva Miller, and children. The home is maintained by the Jim Thorpe Memorial Foundation as a museum. It features memorabilia, some of his treasured possessions, items from the Thorpe family and original furnishings. The property also features a log cabin that resembles the cabin he was born in near Prague in 1888.
The home, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, is a glimpse into who Jim Thorpe was and a reminder of his life and legacy. It is open the second Friday of each month and by appointment.
“ Jim Thorpe is the world’ s greatest athlete. And coming from Oklahoma,
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