Locations

General Information

Most of the places in the story are actual places, located right where the story says they are. Some however, I moved for the sake of the story, and others (like Midget Town) I simply made up.

Locales: More-or-less in order of visitation.

The Washington Monument (More) It turns out to be a key, and repeating area for the story. The "classic dirty joke pose" is that (as referenced in the John Water's movie Pecker) is that from a certain angle, George Washington's extended arm looks like a rather massive erection. It worth scanning the information to see how I weaved Robert Mills (who really was the real architect) into the story.

The Sutcliffe House Matt and his mom live in Hampden (More) and although I don't specifically say it or even describe it, it's assumed that since Matt is walking from his house to Tim's house, it's somewhere in Hampden.

Tim's House Likewise, Tim lives in some unspecified area of Hampden.

Druid Ridge Cemetery (More) Is actually located in Pikesville, Maryland, just outside of Baltimore and is where the Black Aggie statue (the inspiration for my Black Anges) was originally located. For the story, I didn't specify the cemetery's location, letting it seem somewhere closer to the city.

The Enchanted Forest (More) Is an actual place and was--for a time--an acutal working amusement park. I have been to the location, although I have never been inside, on the grounds. So everything in the story is completely made up (although I did base bits of it on the pictures found on the Internet.) (The fire in my story is completely fictional, it never really happened.)

The Hierophant's House and Midget Town Completely fabricated (or is it?).

University of Maryland, College Park (More) Is an actual university and the little bit of history imparted in the book is more or less true. The fire was real (but the cause probably wasn't) and it is true that Morril Hall was the only building not incinerated.

The Point of Failure (More Item #10) The Point of Failure is a feature on the campus. It is where the center of the old campus used to be. The lines do point to where the old buildings once stood. Students do say that if you step on it you won't graduate. As for being a portal....? Who knows? No one steps on it to find out!

Morril Hall Was the only building left untouched by the fire. Probably doesn't exist in two places simultaneously.

The Owl Bar (More) Is a great pub and eatery tucked in the back part of the Belvedere. Do pop in sometime for a delightful visit.

Mount Royal Tavern (More) Is a surprising bar located near the Maryland Institute College of Art, right near the light rail train station. The ceiling is, in fact, painted like the Sistine Chapel ceiling (More) but was not done by Robert Mills (as far as we know....)

BWI Airport Sometime ago was rebranded as the Thurgood Marshall International Airport, but whatever... It's BWI.

Various Cemeteries I made them all up. Although the one down by Little Pain Branch Park in Beltsville does appear on a map with a police station nearby.

Charles Theatre & The Power House (More) I believe Baltimore had the first working streetcar system in the country way back when. I have never been to the actual Power House, but I have been to the theatre many times.

Clark's Eliok Farm (More) Although not actually visited in the story, the Farm is referenced. It is a real farm outside Baltimore that really did purchase many of The Enchanted Forests' structures and attractions in order to preserve them. (Not as a result of my fictional fire.)

The Bromo Seltzer Tower (More) A wonderful landmark of downtown Baltimore. I have never been inside.

Johns Hopkins Hospital (More) It's there and world famous. I don't think I've even been inside.

The Paper Moon Diner (More) It was only in one scene in the book, so I am sure my description did not come close to doing it justice. It's a fun place, great food, WILD decorations. One of the places we always take first-time Baltimore visitors!

Baltimore Sun newspaper warehouse. I looked at a Google Map to find a warehouse somewhere on the "other side" of the Inner Harbor. Beyond that, it's all made up.

Police Headquarters near the Shot Tower Yep, they're there.

Old St. Paul's Cemetery (More) Is an actual place and Judge Samuel Chase is buried there as is Francis Scott Key. (...allegedly!)

World Trade Center (More) We have one of our own located at the Inner Harbor.

Senator Theatre (More) The Senator is a grand old cinema. As the site says, John Waters often premiers his movies at the Senator. The sidewalk outside is decorated with commemorative inscriptions of shows and stars that appeared there.

Westminster Hall and Burying Ground (More) Is located in Baltimore, and is the site of Edgar Allen Poe's grave (More) and was often visited by the mysterious "Poe Toaster."