The address of the Sanitarium on East Derby Street is based on Gahan Wilson's interpretation of Lovecraft's original hand drawn map of Arkham. The street number (345) is taken from Butler Hospital in Providence (345 Blackstone Boulevard). Butler was the place where both of Lovecraft's parents were treated and it was a major influence, if not the direct inspiration, for Arkham Sanitarium.
The telephone number draws on John Singleton's excellent research into conjecturally accurate exchanges for the classic era and later. "1893" is the year Lovecraft's father began his stay at Butler Hospital.
1 comment:
Be it noted that we also have the modern-format (post-1964) address, using Zip code, area code, and straight numeric phone number:
Arkham Sanitarium
345 E Derby St
Arkham MA 01914
Tel. 978-271-1893
This would just be out-of-period for a Classic Era game, but keep it in mind for a Modern version.
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