Hawthorne House
Hawthorne House is a sprawling three story structure which covers
nearly a quarter of a block in the North End of Boston, where the
Tunnel Project is currently going
on. It is located on the corner of Salem and ?? streets, near
Old North Church.
It now encompasses an inner garden, a two-story carriage house, and a
single-story annex connected to reconstructed stone tower which peaks
out over the top of the main house.
The House's ownership is held in an obscure trust fund dating back to
the will of its builder executed in 1893. In practice, it is a small
community of ten or more free-thinkers who prefer an anonymous and
strange life over safe and rational.
The main building is two stories with an extensive attic. Connected
to it are the carriage house (not shown on the current map) and the
Tower (a one-and-a-half story building with a three-and-a-half story
stone tower).
Current Inhabitants
True to the communal spirit of the House, there are many people
living here. The human residents are listed below:
- Clinton Avery (formerly Dr. Arcane)
-
Kevin Edwards (aka Animus)
- Sir John of Leslie (aka Templar)
- ``Blue'' (Ken McDowell): A towering ex-biker from Wisconsin,
Blue became disillusioned with violence after his gang broke up,
and has worked on becoming a better human being.
- Deirdre Carmody: A runaway from her rich family upstate,
Deirdre has been living here for about four months, and is
really starting to like it.
Common passers-by:
Non-human Residents:
- Alice Jennings (ghost) (aka Shade)
- Timothy (ghost)
- Grimble
History
The House was founded in 1855, built by the young Jean-Claude
Desroges, an idealistic and eccentric French aristicrat, and a former
member of Brook Farm. He
had joined Brook Farm upon its founding, much to the chagrin of his
father Arsene. Originally, it was titled ``The New Phalanstery''.
However, in 1864, following the death of his friend
Nathaniel Hawthorne, Desroges had the place renamed ``Hawthorne
House'', and had the number 64 placed over the door (much to the
confusion of mailmen).
Jean-Claude Desroges continued an affluent living despite rumors of
his family's growing poverty. After he disappeared and was presumed
dead in 1893, he left behind a considerable some. His will left a
fair amount of money to his grandson Gaston, but an unspecified amount
more went to an obscure trust fund to keep the House a community of
thinkers.
John H. Kim <jhkim-at-darkshire-dot-net>
Last modified: Thu Apr 25 11:52:03 CDT 1996
