Can’t believe I haven’t posted this yet, but I marked off my 432nd National Park unit during my trip—Carlisle Federal Indian Boarding School National Monument in PA.

This was the first federal “off-rez” Indian school, made famous by being home to Jim Thorpe, the world’s greatest athlete."

Carlisle Indian Industrial School, as it was known then, was a major powerhouse in college football, the most successful one to ever go defunct. Coached by “Pop” Warner, it competed with and beat the best teams in the country, including Harvard, Yale, and Army (including Dwight D Eisenhower’s team). They’re often regarded as the “team that invented football.”

A few of the original buildings still stand, and it remains federal property today—the US Army War College—and requires a background check to visit.

A man holding a sign with the number 432 stands next to a commemorative stone monument with a plaque, set in a landscaped area with a building and trees in the background.A driveway leads through ornate brick pillars to a large white house surrounded by lush greenery.A plaque mounted on a white brick wall provides historical information about Thorpe Hall.A historical plaque about Thorpe Hall is displayed on a grass surface, detailing the contributions of Jim Thorpe to the institution and sports history.A large grassy field with a surrounding track is situated under a cloudy sky, with trees and a water tower in the background.A historical plaque titled Warner House details the achievements of Glenn S. Pop Warner, emphasizing his contributions to American football coaching and player safety, alongside a photograph of Warner and an image related to his career.