Each state has its charming small towns with a unique look and feel.

And in Pennsylvania, Jim Thorpe is one such place.That's the conclusion of writer Susan B. Barnes, who produced an online special for USA Today called "Idyllic America: Picturesque towns in each state.""Inside each individual state we can find large, thriving cities and quiet, serene towns. Here, we look at picturesque small towns - one for each of the 50 states - as discovered through research and crowdsourcing," Barnes reported in a story posted online today.The article includes one color photo of each small town. In Jim Thorpe, the picture showcases downtown Broadway with a caption of "Jim Thorpe, population of 4,781. Pocono Mountains Visitor Bureau."The charm of Jim Thorpe isn't lost on local residents, some of whom say it lured them to the town in the first place."I like the ambience. It feels like you step back in time," said Beatrice Schafer of Lehighton. Schafer opened a gift shop, Grammy Bea's Country Store and Chatalaine, in downtown Jim Thorpe in July 2011."There aren't many areas like this any more," she said. "So many quaint shops and restaurants. It's a place that just makes you feel good when you're there."Civic volunteer John Drury, a Philadelphia native, agrees that Jim Thorpe, formerly Mauch Chunk, is a special place."I enjoy the beauty of the setting, the bustle of the tourists, and the opportunity to be a part of the renaissance of the town toward its former grandeur," Drury said."Jim Thorpe is so special because of the outrageous fact that this industrial outpost became a Brigadoon in the boondocks, a fantasy that captures the imagination of so many of its residents and visitors."The town, nicknamed "The Switzerland of America," is a magnet for photographers.Two of the most prolific are camera hobbyists Bernard Krebs and Desha Utsick. Both are local residents who capture spectacular scenes of Jim Thorpe year-round. They post their finished work in online forums, such as Facebook, for all to enjoy."I get to see the town from all the mountains. You could say 3-D, all four seasons," said Krebs. He feels his work chronicles the community by freezing it in time using the lens of a camera."I get to see the town when the sun comes up - shining its first beam of light that puts a glow on Jim Thorpe to the colorful sunset that says good night. The charm was set two centuries ago by Joshua White and friends. I think they want it to live forever. They did a good job," Krebs said.That same passion is shared by Utsick."It is such a picturesque town and area, and there is so much to do here," said Utsick."I particularly love and enjoy the trails and all the hiking, the scenery, and exploring that is available here. Photographically, there is so much to capture that I can barely keep up with it all! It truly is an amazing little town."Utsick explores the mountains around Jim Thorpe with beloved canine companion, Bella, at her side.Both Krebs and Utsick have had images published in magazines and newspapers, including the Times News.