Hello and welcome back to my little travel blog. My permanent readers may recognize that something has changed: This article is written in English, by way of exception. As I intend to write something about one of America’s greatest authors of present age, I thought it would be suitable to write this in his own language.
For those who are here for the first time, just a little introduction of myself: I am a 53 years old German and currently -together with my wife Betti- on a 3 months‘ trip through Canada and the USA. We have started our journey in May in Vancouver, British Columbia in Canada and in the meantime we have entered the U.S. When we have planned our trip last year, it was absolutely clear for me that one certain state has to be on the list for sure: Maine
So why Maine? First of all, my wife and me, we like regions with a coast. We love walking and hiking along the sea and Maine seems to be the perfect place for this. But moreover, there was another strong reason for me to come to Maine. Because this is the place where my absolute favorite author of present age lives and where most of his novels and stories have taken place: Stephen King!
Every Stephen-King-Maniac (and there are millions out there) knows these mystic places like Castle Rock and Derry. Places that do exist only in the „King-Universe“ and wouldn’t be found in a map of Maine. However, as a good author (and that is King for sure) always writes about things he knows, these places may have an echo somewhere in reality. A lot of people have already written that „Derry“ could be seen as an artificial synonym for Bangor, Stephen King’s hometown in the heart on Maine. Another good reason for me to put Maine on my travel list and definitely to go to Bangor.
What did I expect exactly from a trip to Bangor? Good question! To meet the master in person? To feel the scary atmosphere in real which I have experienced so often in his work? Say „Hello“ to Pennywise? Or just to get a clue what makes Maine so special as the perfect playground for King’s stories? Maybe a bit of all.
First of all, I have to say that Maine is a really beautiful place. Before we got to Bangor, we have spent some days in the area around Portland and additionally in Surry, a small town near to the Acadia Nationalpark. Really worth to see it all. These should be the places where all the evil exist?
The „Atlantic Ocean“ – View from the Acadia Nationalpark
Portland – Harbour
Lighthouses are landmarks in Maine
But now back to the scary things. 🙂 Back to Bangor…
There are two good ways to get closer to Stephen King’s work in Bangor. First of all, you have to visit „Gerald Winters and Son“, a bookstore located on 48 Main St in Bangor. It’s not a simple bookstore, it’s THE DEFINITE Stephen King bookstore. For a real King fan this is a place you can’t believe it’s real until you are getting there. It starts with the incredible storefront design.
It seems, we are not longer in Bangor! We are in Derry!
Definitely!
The other side of the storefront is dedicated to King’s masterpiece „Misery“. Great stuff:
We stepped into the store and have been welcomed by a very friendly man, namely Gerald Winter, an enthusiastic bibliophil with a very strong focus on the work of Stephen King. Here in this store, you will find editions of the SK novels and stories that you have never seen before. Incredible!
Indeed, this must be the paradise for any SK fan. Here you can find first, special and very rare editions. You may spend hours to have a look to all these books.
As soon as we have outed ourselves as „Germans“, we got into a nice chat with Gerald Winter. He is really a SK expert, however, we had some news for him, he was not aware of. A German director, Fatih Akin, has been announced to direct a remake of „Firestarter“ (you know the old movie with the very, very young Drew Barrymoore?). A German guy with a Turkish background and the master of horror from Maine, what a combination!
‘In the Fade’ Director to Take on Stephen King’s ‘Firestarter’ for Universal, Blumhouse (EXCLUSIVE)
But you won’t find not only books in Gerald Winter’s store. There are some special things which may lead to a racing heart if you are a real SK fan.
Original film requisites from “ The Langoliers“ (1995)
The only existing filmposter of the movie „Carrie“ which has been signed originally by all relevant involved persons, including Sissy Spacek, John Travolta, Brian de Palma and Stephen King.
And finally, the original ax from the „Shining“-movie, directed by Stanley Kubrick. I was allowed to held the ax in my hands. Uuuaaah, what a feeling 🙂
So if you come to Bangor, searching for traces of SK, a visit of „Gerald Winters and Son“ is a real must.
But there’s also another very good way to get closer to places which play an important role in the work of Stephen King. Just join the „SK Tours“.
Quote from the homepage https://sk-tours.com/: „You will see places that Stephen King has lived and worked, places that have inspired his stories, and actual film locations from his movies. Each tour is hosted by Stuart Tinker who has been featured on A&E Biography, City Confidential, People Magazine and many other national media outlets. As the owner of the original Betts Bookstore, Stu has over 20 years of experience selling Stephen King books and memorabilia. Stu is recognized as one of the leading experts on King Lore and legend, and he has lived all his life in Bangor, or as it is known in the Stephen King world, „Derry,“ Maine. Stu started doing Stephen King Tours for King fans and researchers over 18 years ago and has enjoyed introducing many new readers to the area that has inspired so many great books and movies.“
Nothing more to add from my side.
Together with six other SK Maniacs, Stu led us through Bangor, showing us unique places and telling interesting stories.
I won’t tell to many details about this tour. Every real SK fan should do this once in the lifetime. However, I would like to point out some highlights.
One of our first stations during this tour was the „Mount Hope Cemetery“ which was a location in the film version of „Pet Sematary“ (with King in a cameo role). Furthermore, Stu explained that some gravestones on Mount Hope served as inspiration for King for the creation of some of his most famous characters: „Carrie“ and „Georgie“ from IT:
I was looking a little bit around on Mount Hope and thought that maybe one other famous author might be also inspired by a certain gravestone 🙂 Guess who?
One of our next stops was at the „Thomas Hill Standpipe“
The journalist James Mullinger wrote for „The Guardian“ in September 2017 the following about this place:
„This water storage facility, which also controls Bangor’s water pressure, has been in constant use since 1897. And in It, it’s the inspiration for the Standpipe in Derry, where Stan first encounters Pennywise. There are no recorded drowning accidents in the standpipe, but for anyone who has read the book or seen either the film or the miniseries, this is an incredibly eerie place to be – even though you’re just staring at an old water tower. Which tells you everything you need to know about the power of King’s writing.“
After that we took a short trip to the radiostations owned and maintained by SK.
And last but not least, I said „Hello“ to Pennywise. 🙂
The last station of the tour and the absolute highlight was a trip to Stephen King’s house. I was not aware that his home is not a secrecy as you know it from other „famous persons“. Everybody in Bangor seems to be aware where Tabitha and Stephen are living, it’s not a great thing here. As we arrived, no other fans were around, it’s a normal street with a calm neighborhood. The King family was not at home this weekend as Stu said. So, unfortunately, we didn’t get the chance to meet the master in person (which is sometimes the case during the SK tour with Stu). Nevertheless, we had the great opportunity to have a look at this wonderful house which could come directly out one of SK stories.
Even the details were fantastic:
There is so much left to tell about this tour. Stu led us to appr. 30 places which have to to with SK live and work. Again, I can only encourage every real SK fan to come to Bangor and to do this tour. For me, as a SK reader for many years, this was a „perfect day“.
I’ll finish this article now because there are so many other things left to do: Reading the new novel „The Outsider“ for example, or watching the new show „Castle Rock“
https://www.imdb.com/title/tt6548228/
One last recommendation (if you not already know) There’s a really good documentary on YouTube about „Castle Rock“. Stu and Gerald -who I met both at this day of my tour to Bangor- have been interviewed in this film. Enjoy watching
So, thank you all that I could share my little trip to Bangor with you. Please be aware, I am a German, so please excuse my bad English or any kind of mistake. Have a good time and thanks for reading me!
Audit & More 