Local history aficionado Bernie Krebs never stepped foot inside the fabled Hotel Wahnetah.

Truth is, the breathtaking Glen Onoko attraction burned down more than 100 years ago.But the Jim Thorpe man who lives at Onoko Lane can tell you all about the place, such as when it was built, how it was celebrated, and what the room keys looked like. He can even show you a Wahnetah souvenir coin purse, a piece of china and signed flatware from the hotel table settings.Krebs is collector of history's curious artifacts and his expertise helps us to better understand some of the finery of Old Mauch Chunk. It's a passion he's enjoyed for the greater part of his 55 years; one that grew more intense after surviving a major bout with cancer four years ago."I learned to appreciate and to take it day by day," says Krebs.Early startKrebs' interest in Mauch Chunk comes from his childhood growing up on West Broadway, where grandfather William "Speck" Krebs led him on information-filled walks through local neighborhoods."I learned much from him," says Krebs. "He worked on the railroad and later was a bus driver."Today, Krebs travels to flea markets, auctions and yard sales and hunts for local items online. He's amassed a collection that tells a story of Mauch Chunk's greatness during the Industrial Revolution.Among his treasures: the 1886 Ester pump organ from St. Joseph's Catholic Church, 1890s nickel-plated fire chief's horn from Onoko Fire Company, 1868 Lehigh Valley Railroad stock certificate signed by Asa Packer, 1896 original ticket for the Switch Back Rail Road, original programs from the 1886 dedication of Soldier's Monument, rare old bottles, and the 1882 W.R. Otis banjo clock from Mauch Chunk Bank.The clock is among his most-prized items. "It was last serviced in 1947," he said.The bank has a rich history. It became Mauch Chunk National Bank, then Jim Thorpe National, and now Jim Thorpe Neighborhood Bank."Asa Packer and other millionaires started that bank," Krebs says. "Otis was a jeweler and bank president."Special appealIn general terms, nothing endears itself to Krebs quite like the magic of Hotel Wahnetah and its rise and fall.The landmark was on the east bank of the Lehigh River, upstream from the old railroad tunnel a few miles from Jim Thorpe.The Wahnetah Land and Improvement Company began construction about 1885 and built the hotel for $65,000.It boasted 36 airy rooms and many porches overlooking the Lehigh River, plus a formal dining room and an 80-foot bar. The Wahnetah was constructed at the bottom of a steep mountainside and very near the river. In a sense, its unusual location eventually played a role in its demise."It was actually built on piers," says Krebs, an advantage during periods when the river rose.A 3-foot, wide footbridge was the only short and fast way to reach the hotel from the Glen and two railroad stations located there.A dirt road built along the mountain at the rear of the hotel ran to Coalport, a small village located near the former borough of East Mauch Chunk. It served as a supply route during Wahnetah's construction.The hotel operated year-round. Railroad employees made the hotel their permanent residence and railroad officials routinely stopped there.In the winter of 1901-02, the footbridge between the Wahnetah and Glen Onoko was swept away. Until it was rebuilt, the Glen's visitors were required to take a much longer hike across the Lehigh Valley or Central Railroad bridges to reach the Wahnetah.In 1903, the place was bought by Pius Schwiebenz, owner of Eagle Brewery. Full-course dinners cost 50 cents and were served from 11 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Rooms were $8 a week. But Glen Onoko, at the time, was falling out of favor. The number of visitors was sharply decreasing."The decline of Glen Onoko started about 1900 or 1910. By that time, people weren't going there. There were amusement parks going up with roller coasters and people were doing other things," says Krebs.Sadly, in April 1911, a forest fire sent sparks onto the Wahnetah. In just two hours it was destroyed by flames, reduced to smoldering ruins. Much of what was inside was destroyed, and so finding Wahnetah items can be difficult.Ongoing huntKrebs, employed in assembly at Mack Trucks, Macungie, continues to search for Wahnetah artifacts. He's even dug around the hotel site looking for finds, coming up with broken pieces of china, among other things.He also enjoys doing the regular antique circuit with father-in-law Gary Solt or close friend Dave Steidle, and has great respect for their knowledge of antiques and history.The best part, he says, is that he never knows what he'll find. But when he sees it, he knows it's right."It has to catch my eyes," says Krebs.Fortunately, he has an understanding wife, Jane, who graciously accommodates whatever contrivance makes its way into the house. When that happens, the collection augments and she knows it's time to make space."He never parts with anything," says Jane. The couple has a daughter Alyssa, 28.Through the years, Krebs has fine-tuned his focus, not only regarding history, but arts as well.In addition to antiques, he excels in photography, piano, organ, accordion and is self-taught in many fields.But he's happiest when he's out with Solt or Steidle, finding another Wahnetah item or retrieving a long-lost, local treasure discovered miles away."That's our motto ... bringing it home to Jim Thorpe," says Krebs.When it comes to antiques, there's no place like home.