location of salem's lot.

[psj77]

Ms. Mod I know this might be a weird one, but I'm trying to find Salem's Lot. I know it is a fictional town, but Mr. King said in the auther's note everything around it is real.

Acording to Jerusalem's Lot it is 9 miles north of Portland & 3 miles north of Falmouth. This is vague, but it would put it far from where the map on the web site puts it.

In Salem's Lot it gives directions from From Salem's lot to Portland, but I get lost in Falmouth. I can't find route 12. I'm using msn maps

[Moderator]

We need to revise the map as there are a lot of places missing and some may not be in the correct location. Your description is very helpful and we'll do our best to get it better located when we do the revision.

[Monk]

I read a statement from Mr King someplace about the inaccuracy of the actual placement - had something to do with Ben's and Susan's date options. Going to the movies in Falmouth made no sense due to the proximity of real towns in the real world. I think it may have been in a foreward someplace where he commented.

I'll try to find it.

But no, the Lot's location is totally author's license. And has not a lot to do with real geography.
"One for the Road" may hold useful info, too.
I'll look.

[Jareth Goderis]

I think that it's just one of those mysterious King-things. You know like the startling reality that is in his books.

[Sehestedt]

Last time I read the book, I got out a map when the book was giving directions. Mostly when Ben first enters the town, when he goes to the movies with Susan, and one of the Cody chapters. As I remember, 'Salem's Lot is real close to Cumberland (the town, not the county).

[Sehestedt]

This has kept nagging at me, so I started the book again. King actually gives pretty good directions to 'Salem's Lot.

From the Prologue: "Jerusalem's lot is a small town east of Cumberland and twenty miles north of Portland."

In Chapter One, Ben takes the exit:
ROUTE 12 JERUSALEM'S LOT
CUMBERLAND CUMBERLAND CTR

And when Ben stops at the exit ramp off 295, he can see the roof of the Marsten House from 295.

Throughout the early part of the book, it mentions that 'Salem's Lot is on the Royal River.

So if you Google Map "Cumberland, ME," find that spot of land to the northeast next to the Royal River, and you're in 'Salem's Lot.

[Brainslinger]

If when following the route you see a strange mist and hear a strange warbling sound or the sound of chimes, you might want to turn around and high-tail it out of there... Certainly don't pick up hitch-hikers!



On that creepy note, I'm off to bed...

[Dan Olwell]

In Pet Semetary, Rachel drives by a sign that reads...
EXIT ROUTE 12 CUMBERLAND CUMBERLAND CENTER JERUSALEM'S LOT FALMOUTH FALMOUTH FORESIDE

[Tinahorve]

Maybe it went the way of Topeka (near the thinny in Wizard and Glass).

[guitarhero]

Basically, it's about twenty miles north of Portland. Much any more of a description than that will really start to get hazy.

If you're ever in that general area and come across a seemingly abandoned little town, you should probably just leave as quickly as possible. Definitely don't stay until sunset, rumor has it that the town might not be so abandoned as it would seem.