Stephen King has undeniably placed Bangor, Maine, on the global map, with the small New England town being intricately linked to the renowned author. His striking red Victorian mansion stands as the town’s focal point, drawing people from various corners, even across oceans, who seek a glimpse into the author’s life at 47 West Broadway.
While Stephen King sightings outside his residence are infrequent, his impact permeates Bangor, creating an ambiance reminiscent of his novels from the moment one enters the town. The influence of Maine, King’s birthplace, on his creative inspiration is well-known, and many of his novels, including “Salem’s Lot” and “It,” are set in the Pine Tree State. Bangor, particularly West Broadway, served as inspiration for the fictional town of Derry in “It.”
The allure of Bangor for fans worldwide lies in the desire to immerse themselves in the atmosphere that permeates King’s books and explore the locales that inspired some of his most beloved works.
For fans visiting Bangor, the eerily captivating architecture on West Broadway, including King’s residence, contributes to the mysterious and sometimes creepy ambiance. The streets, often sparsely populated except for groups of devoted King enthusiasts, lend an abandoned feel, particularly on gloomy fall or winter days.
Approaching West Broadway, the rows of imposing mansions, including King’s, are easily accessible, with the distinctive red color and wrought-iron fence distinguishing his residence. The house, with its gothic details and unique features, attracts countless fans who photograph themselves by the fence adorned with spiders, a three-headed dragon, and other bat-winged creatures. Despite King’s reported regret about the fence’s popularity as a tourist attraction, occasional playful gestures, such as a red balloon in a window in 2017, engage fans familiar with his work, particularly “It.
The iconic manor on West Broadway, constructed in 1858 and owned by the Kings since 1980, reflects the Italianate Villa style and underwent architectural modifications over the years. The house sits on approximately 2 acres of land, surrounded by lush trees and featuring an attached barn with an indoor swimming pool, a three-car garage, and King’s former writing studio.
The home’s interior comprises 5 bedrooms and 6 bathrooms, totaling 4,952 square feet. While its current value is estimated around “.7 million by some sources, the house is significant to King beyond its monetary value. Having paid $135,000 for it in 1980, King announced plans in 2018 to convert the residence into an archive for scholars and transform the adjacent home into a writer’s retreat.
As a non-profit archive accessible by appointment only, the house serves as a repository for King’s literary legacy, relocating his archives from the University of Maine. Despite not opening to the public, the archive welcomes scholars and researchers interested in delving into King’s body of work.
For die-hard Stephen King fans, Bangor remains a pilgrimage site, offering a taste of living within the pages of one of his novels. While the house itself isn’t open for public visits, the town provides an atmospheric backdrop for enthusiasts. Guided tours like ‘Stephen King’s Derry’ by SK Tours offer a curated experience, and entering ’47 West Broadway’ into GPS can lead fans to the heart of the Stephen King universe, complete with a chance encounter with red balloons or a nod to King’s infamous corgi, Molly, known as the Thing of Evil.
