stephen king tour bangor

10 Spots Every Stephen King Fan Must Go in Bangor, Maine

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If you’re a big Stephen King fan, you may already know that Maine serves as a source of much inspiration and setting for the king of horror himself. In fact, Stephen King actually spends much of his time at his home in Maine and was born and grew up in Maine. King describes in this beautiful and harrowing essay why Bangor, of all places, was chosen as home. This makes Maine the perfect spot for a self-guided Stephen King tour of all the places that gave him inspiration for his nightmare-inducing novels and the movies that branched off from them, the places where several films were shot, and possibly even where you can see and meet Stephen King himself if you’re lucky.

If you’re read several of Stephen King’s novels , you may realize that he utilizes the fictional town of Derry quite often in his books. The fictional town of Derry is based on King’s very own home of Bangor, Maine and, for this reason, many King fans visit Bangor every year to see pages come to life. There are plenty of places for King fans to see what exactly makes Stephen King tick.

Stephen King Tour

If you find yourself in Maine, Bangor is well worth the trip (even not as a King fan) and I’ve put together a self-guided Stephen King tour to Bangor.

Stephen King Tour Map

Stephen King’s Home

Address: 47 west broadway,  bangor.

You may be surprised to learn this, but you can walk right up to Stephen King’s home in Bangor, Maine. The address is public knowledge and it is pretty common knowledge that King himself is known to come out and talk to fans frequently. I take that as a sign that he doesn’t seem to mind us commoners.

His house is exactly what I would picture Stephen King’s home looking like. It’s a blood-red Victorian home surrounded by a black iron fence adorned with gargoyles and bats.

Pet Sematary Filming Locations

Mount hope cemetery, address: 1048 state st.

Ever watched Pet Sematary? Then you’ve set your eyes on Mount Hope Cemetery in Bangor, Maine. If you’ll remember, Stephen King himself appeared in the original Pet Sematary. He plays the minister at the cemetery presiding over the funeral of Gage.

Even if one weren’t a King fan, Mount Hope Cemetery is definitely worth a visit. It’s one of the nation’s oldest garden cemeteries and is almost 200 years old.

Carrie Inspiration

Inside of Mount Hope Cemetery, you’ll also find a gravestone with the name Carrie on it. It is rumored that this was the inspiration behind the character, and of course, novel Carrie . I don’t know if this has ever been proven true by King himself, but cool nonetheless.

IT Filming Locations & Inspiration

Thomas hill standpipe, address: 41 thomas hill rd.

The Thomas Hill Standpipe is walking distance from Stephen King’s own home. It served as the inspiration in King’s novel It as the haunted and dangerous water tower. There’s a small park located where the Thomas Hill Standpipe is located and it is rumored that King wrote a lot of the book while seated on the park bench here.

The Standpipe dates back to 1897 and is honestly one of the coolest looking water towers I’ve ever seen.

Paul Bunyan Statue

Address: 519 main st.

Remember when this giant Paul Bunyan statue came to life in It and attacked Richie? This also happened in the new It: Chapter Two (2019) movie. The statue is also mentioned in King’s novel Insomnia .

Sewer Drain at Union and Jackson Street

Did you ever find yourself avoid walking around sewers and any other openings in the ground in fear of Pennywise grabbing you? Just me then? I’ve finally gotten over that weird habit for the most part. So much so that I even visited the sewer drain in which Pennywise lured Georgie in the movie It .

Want to visit it too? Just head to the corner of Union and Jackson Street in Bangor. This very specific sewer drain is said to have inspired King’s imagination even though it really doesn’t look any different than any other.

Interested in a more specialized tour of Bangor dedicated to Stephen King fans? Check out SK tours !

Stephen King Bookstore – Gerald Winters & Son

Address: 48 main street, geraldwinters.com.

In 2008, Gerald Winters opened up a bookstore dedicated to Stephen King novels and King memorabilia. It was the best place to find limited editions, one-of-a-kind items such as manuscripts and screenplays, t-shirts, and other memorabilia.

It was the little surprises along that way while exploring Bangor – the odes to Stephen King – that made me realize how loved by the locals he must be.

Union and Second Street

Head to the corner of Union and Second Street to find a mural of what I assume are important figures to Bangor and you’ll find none other than Stephen King amongst them.

Stephen King and Molly (aka the thing of evil) Bench

Strolling in downtown Bangor, I noticed lots of little bits of public art, but this bench definitely caught my eye. And, yes, that’s King’s dog – Molly, aka The Thing of Evil.

Stephen King Tour Overview

Any Stephen King fan will surely find Bangor magical and a perfect spot to visit as a lover of his books and movies. I hope this self-guided Stephen King tour leads you on a haunting and nostalgic journey through Bangor.

PLANNING A TRIP?

Find accommodation , read accommodation reviews , and check flight prices. Book attractions, tickets, or guides in advance. Research using these guides or read my other Stephen King posts. See my packing list .

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Ashley Hubbard

Ashley Hubbard is a writer, photographer, and blogger based in Nashville, Tennessee. When she's not searching out the strange and unusual things in life, she's searching out vegan food and is passionate about sustainability, animal rights, and social justice.

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I have read some Stephen King but I’m definitely not an expert. I actually had no idea he was from Maine, or that he drew so much inspiration from his local surroundings. However that might be a subconscious thing for all authors! I have to say though that his house (gate in particular) is SO extra and I would have expected nothing less 😛

I’m a huge Stephen King fan and definitely want to take this tour!! I am so enamored of him as a writer and all the other members of his family. I’d like to just stand outside his house and breathe the same air they breathe, hoping some of their creativity would run off on me. Well, actually, I’d like to go inside the house and watch him write, but I’ll settle for the tour. Less creepy. 😉

I’ve read a lot of Stephen King novels in the last decade, including “Pet Sematary,” so I would love to do this tour. I had forgotten that so many spots are in Maine! Pretty cool that you can walk right up to his house, though. Did he come out when you were there?

I can already imagine myself there. Such a cool place.

I actually love the good side of this article, this was a very motivational post.

Diane Weyant

Hi, We will be visitng on Saturday Nov. 14th and Sunday Nov 15th.

Is there a guided Stephen King tour on Saturday November 14th? It seems SK tours does not offer a tour on Saturday or Sunday.

Thank you. Diane Weyant

SK doesnt live in that house any longer. The new owners dont mind visitors as long as you stay on the sidewalk!

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10 Spots In Bangor, Maine Every Stephen King Fan Must Visit

• Activities and Interests
• Destinations
• History and Culture
• Literary Sites
• United States

Beautiful Bangor, Maine , home to Stephen King, his family, and his fictional town of Derry. As an unsuspecting tourist, you can drive around Bangor and, perhaps, never even notice that you are passing by sites that every Stephen King fan is dying to visit.

As a Stephen King novice, I joined along on a tour of the most infamous King film and literary venues around Bangor. I have only read two Stephen King books, The Girl Who Loved Tom Gordon and Carrie . After the tour, I began to think I should read another one. The question was which one? Pet Sematary , It , The Green Mile , or maybe Night Shift would be good options. Any way you turn the page, I know for certain, I will be hiding it in the freezer when the plot becomes too scary. 

Aside from King’s literary and cinematic locations, be sure to check out these fantastic things to do in Bangor, Maine . 

Some of the information in this piece was obtained during a sponsored press trip, but all recommendations are my own.

1. Stephen King Tour

I was fortunate to be a guest of Jamie Tinker, owner of SK Tours , for a Bangor Stephen King Tour. I was blown away by the eager enthusiasm of the others on the ride. It was completely contagious and I found myself giddy with expectation. I had no idea what I was getting into. The tour takes you to places where the lines between real life and the fictional town of Derry blur.

I have highlighted a few must-visit notables below. On the 3-hour tour, you will see between 20 and 30 different Stephen King literary and movie locations. Additionally, Tinker highlights the King family history, their attachment to Bangor, and the many generous philanthropic endeavors the Kings undertake.

2. The Corner Of Jackson And Union Streets

The van stops at the corner of Jackson and Union Streets which looks like many other intersections across the U.S. Tinker shouts, “Everybody out!” I, of course, had no idea why. The clown head and severed arm are artfully placed on the drain at the intersection and the tour group goes crazy snapping photos, staging tableaus, etc.

As it turns out, this is where, in the novel It, Pennywise, the evil clown, lures Georgie Denbrough with promises of candy, balloons, and a floating paper boat. Spoiler alert: Georgie doesn’t fare well in this young-boy-meets-crazy-clown scene.

3. The Bangor Waterworks

It is amazing how an ordinary brick building can induce spine-tingling chills and hair-raising goosebumps. The Bangor Waterworks was featured in King’s Graveyard Shift where it is home to a thriving army of giant mutant rats. This dark piece can be found in his short stories collection, Night Shift, which includes other short stories that are the beginnings of classic King novels.

While on the tour, Tinker was reading Night Shift and connecting the dots from short stories to novels for his eager guests. Many characters and their future stories were born in the shorts you find in this collection. It is a highly recommended read for every King fan.

4. Mount Hope Cemetery

Established in 1834, Mount Hope Cemetery is a beautiful garden cemetery that encompasses over 250 acres of land.

The famous burial scene in Pet Sematary was filmed at Mount Hope Cemetery. This outdoor stage is where King can be seen in his cameo role in the 1989 movie. King plays the minister presiding over one of the Creed family member’s burial services. In a warped way, the scene plays out full circle since King’s pen architected this untimely death and funeral.

Tinker recommends taking the Bangor Historical Society walking tour through the cemetery. While the tour isn’t King-focused, it is a beautiful historic tour through the second oldest garden cemetery in the U.S.

The Creed House in Pet Sematary is a private home in nearby Hancock, Maine. You can drive by, but be respectful of the homeowners.

5. Thomas Hill Standpipe

The Derry Standpipe featured in It is actually the Bangor Water’s Thomas Hill Standpipe , a National Historic Landmark. Tinker recalled, “I grew up next to the water tower and used to play baseball in Summit Park at the base of the tower. Living next to a landmark like that made the book It even more exciting. Stephen King made me afraid of the dark in my own corner.”

It is widely reported that King sat on the park bench at the foot of the water tower and penned much of the book. The water tower is open four times a year for visitors to climb the stairs to the promenade deck for a panoramic view of Bangor (or Derry if you choose).

6. Paul Bunyan Statue

Lumberjack Paul Bunyan , a legendary woodsman, stands 31 feet tall in downtown Bangor. He represents the history of the logging industry in Maine and is beloved by visitors and residents.

However, Stephen King had an entirely different version of Bunyan when he penned It. King’s Bunyan was possessed, stepped off his podium, and attacked Richie Tozier with his mighty ax. The gigantic Bunyan smashes the bench where Tozier had just been sitting.

When you stand at the base and look up at Bunyan, it is terrifying to think of this massive character coming to life and swinging his enormous ax your way.

7. Dysart’s Truck Stop

The short story Trucks, which was the precursor for the movie Maximum Overdrive , is believed to be inspired by Dysart’s Restaurant & Truck Stop in Hermon, Maine. Dysart’s also has a truck stop location in Bangor. When you are visiting, you should stop in for a meal. They take a classic truck stop and amp it up to the max, offering great food, a fun pub atmosphere, and gas pumps to fill up your car before you leave.

8. Bangor International Airport

If you are flying into Bangor International Airport, you will recognize its runway and terminal from the TV miniseries, The Langoliers . In the series, passengers on a flight out of Los Angeles heading to Boston discover Bangor International is their only hope.

9. Gerald Winters And Son

Gerald Winters And Son Bookstore on Main Street in Bangor is the place to find all things Stephen King. Shop for King books, including first edition and autographed copies, along with memorabilia and collectibles. 

10. Stephen King’s House

Perched on a hill high above downtown Bangor is the family home of Stephen and Tabitha King. Wrought iron bats, spiders, and other creepy guests guard the stately Victorian mansion. The foreboding gate and dark red — some would say blood red — painted house coupled with the quirky Victorian architecture present a perfect house fit for a King.

Be sure to study the chainsaw wood carving on the side lawn. The carving features cute woodland creatures and phantasmagorical beasts coming together to create a fascinating art piece.

The King’s purchased and renovated the old mansard house next to their own home. It is slated to house five authors for a writers in residence program somewhere in the future. Interested writers should stay tuned for details. 

While the King family allows respectful visitors on the sidewalk at the gate of their home, however, they do not tolerate trespassers. Please note that the King family home does not host any tours nor does the house intended for the writers in residence program.

A Chat With Jamie Tinker

Tinker is a fountain of information about Stephen King, his fictional works, and his philanthropic legacy. Tinker passed on some thoughts about King’s legacy and what is coming in the future.

When it comes to favorite books, Tinker said, “My favorite book is It; the first book that took place in the town of Derry (Bangor). That book showed me my town through the eyes of Stephen King. I know most of the locations personally, and that book scared the wits out of me.”

Tinker is instrumental in working with film crews who visit Bangor. He has the inside track on what’s happening and what’s being planned. “I know of about 30 film adaptions in the works right now. The most recent one to come out is Lisey’s Story on Apple TV. That is a great book and a great adaptation.” Tinker also noted, “An adaptation of the short story from the Night Shift collection, Jerusalem’s Lot , will come out on the Epix channel in August. That one is starring Adrien Brody and looks to be great fun. Also in the works is a very exciting documentary called King on Screen.”

“A Stephen King Dollar Baby production titled I Know What You Need, will be filming at the University of Maine,” reports Tinker. The King Dollar Baby program is a way for aspiring filmmakers to adapt one of King’s short stories to film. Young producers and filmmakers can be authorized by the King foundation to use one of the short stories for $1.

Pro Tips: While these locations are important pieces of King’s fictional legacy, they are also private homes and businesses. Please be respectful of individual privacy. You will need to book a tour with Tinker at SK Tours at least a month in advance. They book up quickly because they offer the best tour. And keep a sharp eye out for the red balloon!

If you’re heading south after you visit Bangor, go check out this epic road trip from Bangor to Boston .

Sandi loves writing about culture, cuisine, adult beverages, cruising, golf, skiing, road trips, hiking, New England, and photography. Traveling solo, with hubby Chris, or the entire Barrett clan there is always a story waiting to be told.

Stephen King’s Home in Bangor, Maine: A Tour Guide

If you’re a fan of Stephen King , visiting his iconic home in Bangor , Maine is a must. The author has made this charming New England town his home for decades, and his residency has contributed significantly to the town’s culture and history. The tour guide takes you on a journey through the exterior and interior of the mysterious writer’s home , giving you insights into his creative process, personal life, and community involvement .

With this tour guide , you can get a glimpse into the world of Stephen King and his famous residence in Bangor , Maine , immersing yourself in his gothic-inspired architecture and unique decor choices. This home has been an inspiration to many of his works, including the widely popular novel, IT.

Key Takeaways

• Stephen King’s home is located in Bangor , Maine , and has become a cultural landmark in the town’s history.
• The tour guide gives you a rare opportunity to explore Stephen King’s writing room and understand his creative process and personality.
• The home’s exterior and interior designs reflect Stephen King’s love for gothic-inspired architecture and unique decor choices.
• Stephen King is an active member of the Bangor community and has contributed extensively to the town’s philanthropic efforts.
• You can book a guided tour of Stephen King’s home in Bangor, Maine, to experience the magic of this renowned author’s iconic residence firsthand.

About Stephen King

Stephen King is an American author , born in Portland, Maine, in 1947. He is known for his prolific writing career spanning several decades, during which he has published over 60 novels and hundreds of short stories, many of which are widely regarded as classics of the horror genre. With over 350 million copies of his books sold worldwide, King is one of the most successful writers of all time.

King’s first novel, Carrie , was published in 1974 and instantly became a best-seller, quickly followed by other works such as Salem’s Lot, The Shining , and The Stand . He is famous for his supernatural and horror -themed stories, which often incorporate elements of suspense, thriller, and supernatural terror. His detailed characterizations, well-plotted storylines, and innovative use of horror motifs have earned him numerous accolades and awards throughout his career.

King’s writing career has not been without controversy. His vivid and graphic descriptions of violence and horror have caused some critics to accuse him of being gratuitous or sensationalist in his writing. However, many readers appreciate his ability to delve into the darkest aspects of the human psyche and craft stories that explore universal themes of fear, redemption, and the struggle between good and evil.

Notable Works

King has authored numerous novels , novellas, and short stories, each with unique themes and settings. However, some of his most well-known and highly regarded works include:

Many of King’s works have been adapted for film and television, with varying degrees of success. Some of the most popular adaptations include the film versions of Carrie , The Shining , and Misery , as well as television series such as Stephen King’s IT and The Stand .

“Monsters are real, and ghosts are real too. They live inside us, and sometimes, they win.” – Stephen King

The Location of Stephen King’s Home

Stephen King’s home is located in the picturesque city of Bangor, Maine, a popular tourist destination known for its rich history, charming architecture , and vibrant cultural scene.

The author’s residence can be found at 47 West Broadway, a stunning Victorian mansion situated in the heart of Bangor’s historic district. The neighborhood boasts an impressive collection of 19th-century buildings, many of which have been beautifully preserved, making it a must-see destination for architecture enthusiasts.

Visitors to Stephen King’s home can take a stroll down the tree-lined streets of the neighborhood , which offer a peaceful respite from the bustling city center. They can also explore the nearby Mount Hope Cemetery, a sprawling burial ground that inspired many of King’s novels .

Exterior Design and Architecture

The exterior design and architecture of Stephen King’s home is as unique as the author’s literary style. The large 19th-century house, painted red with dark-purple shutters, stands out among the neighboring houses with its dominating presence and spooky feel. The Victorian-style residence features a turret and wrap-around porch, bringing in elements of grandeur and sophistication. The meticulous detailing on the house’s facade, including the carved fascia board and cornices, add depth and character to the structure.

“The exterior of the house mimics the tone and mood of King’s novels, which are characterized by a sense of mystery and intrigue.”

Moreover, the exterior of the house underwent a significant renovation in the early 1990s, bringing in new features such as a wrought-iron fence around the property . The overall effect is a vibe of both darkness and magic, perfectly in tune with King’s works.

Interior Design and Decor

As you step into Stephen King’s Home , you can’t help but notice the unique interior design and decor . Every room inside the house reflects the author’s personality and interests.

The main living area features a beautiful stone fireplace, surrounded by cozy armchairs and sofas. Stephen King’s love for reading and collecting books is evident in the vast collection of books adorning shelves and tables throughout the house. In the dining room, you’ll find a beautiful antique chandelier and a large wooden table that can seat up to twelve people for meals or gatherings.

The bedrooms showcase subtle differences in themes, ranging from a nautical-inspired room to a room that features antique bedside lamps and accents. In some rooms, you’ll find pieces of artwork, such as paintings and sculptures, that Stephen King has collected over the years.

“The interior of the house is filled with interesting details that display Stephen King’s personality, and his passion for the arts and storytelling”

Apart from the books, one can spot a variety of interesting decor elements throughout the house, such as a vintage piano, wooden figurines, and antique clocks. The decor also includes unique items from Stephen King’s movies, including a lamp from the set of The Shining .

The creative use of colors, textures, and patterns makes every inch of the house stand out, from the patterned wallpaper to the colorful rugs. The attention to detail and the interesting choices throughout the home make it a true work of art.

Stephen King’s Writing Room

Stephen King’s writing room is a creative space where he wrote many of his iconic novels. This room is located on the third floor of his Bangor home, and it’s where King spends most of his time working.

The writing room is a bright and welcoming space filled with natural light and a cozy atmosphere. The room is furnished with a large wooden desk and a comfortable chair. A bookshelf lines the wall to King’s right, filled with books on various subjects. The opposite wall is adorned with a few of King’s artwork and photographs of his family.

King’s writing room provides a quiet and private atmosphere for the author to work on his craft. The room is spacious enough to support his creative process without feeling cluttered or cramped. His writing tools are precisely placed on his desk, including a typewriter and a computer.

King has spoken publicly about his writing process, stating that he typically writes six pages a day. He believes that routine and consistency are key to achieving success as a writer. Accordingly, he spends hours working in his writing room, perfecting his craft and creating compelling stories that have captivated readers for decades.

“If you want to be a writer, you must do two things above all others: read a lot and write a lot. There’s no way around these two things that I’m aware of, no shortcut.”

In conclusion, Stephen King’s writing room is a testament to the value of dedication, routine, and a creative space . By providing a private, dedicated space to work, King has been able to produce some of the most iconic works of horror fiction in history.

The Surrounding Property

The landscape surrounding Stephen King’s home in Bangor, Maine, is just as intriguing as the property itself. The author has transformed his surroundings into an outdoor oasis, complete with tasteful greenery and water features. Visitors can take a stroll around the property and enjoy the pleasant ambiance.

The garden surrounding Stephen King’s home is a mixture of formal and informal landscape design. The garden path extends around the perimeter of the house, leading visitors to various garden rooms, each with its unique collection of plants and flowers.

Notable Features

Stephen King’s landscaping features encourage visitors to relax, meditate, and enjoy a peaceful experience in the great outdoors.

Stephen King’s Connection to Bangor

Stephen King is not only an acclaimed author but also a valued member of the Bangor community. He has a long-standing connection to the city, having lived there for over 40 years. King has spoken fondly about Bangor, stating in one of his interviews, “I like to think of myself as the village horror-monger.”

King has been actively involved in the community, supporting various Bangor-based initiatives and organizations. In 1986, he donated $12,000 to the Bangor public library. Following a devastating flood in 1987, King donated $70,000 to help repair the damage caused to the city.

In addition to his philanthropic activities, King has also used the city of Bangor as a setting in many of his works, giving readers a glimpse into the real-life locations he frequents. Fans of King’s work can explore the city and visit some of the places that have inspired his stories.

King’s connection to Bangor runs deep, and his contributions to the community have not gone unnoticed. The author has made an impact not only through his literary works but also through his involvement in the city’s social and cultural sphere.

Famous Visitors and Filming Locations

Stephen King’s iconic home in Bangor, Maine has attracted many notable visitors over the years. Some of the most famous include:

• Steven Spielberg , who visited the author at his home while scouting locations for his film Close Encounters of the Third Kind .
• George Romero , the legendary director of zombie classic Night of the Living Dead , also visited the property while working on a film adaptation of King’s book The Stand .
• Mick Garris , director of the TV miniseries adaptation of The Stand , The Shining , and Desperation , visited King’s home multiple times during the filming of these projects.

Aside from attracting famous visitors, Stephen King’s home has also been the filming location for several of his works. One of the most significant is the TV miniseries adaptation of Storm of the Century , which was filmed on location at the author’s home in Bangor. Other notable filming locations associated with King’s work include:

Tour Guide Information and Ticketing

If you’re a Stephen King fan planning a visit to Bangor, Maine, you won’t want to miss a guided tour of the author’s iconic home. A tour of this beloved property offers a unique glimpse into the life and work of this famous author. To help you plan your visit, we’ve gathered the most relevant information on tour guides and ticketing so you can explore the estate with ease.

The tours of Stephen King’s home are conducted by the Derry Public Library. The proceeds are donated to the library for use in community programming.

Tour Guide Options

Tours are usually offered in the summer months. Standard tours typically run for around 45 minutes and are conducted by trained guides. Group sizes are structured to be small, with a maximum of 6 visitors per tour. There are also VIP tours available for an extra cost, which give visitors a more in-depth and personalized experience.

Ticketing Options

Tickets for the tours of Stephen King’s home sell out quickly, so it’s recommended to book well in advance. You can purchase tickets online through the Derry Public Library website. For standard tours, full adult tickets cost $15, while children’s tickets are $10. VIP tours are offered at $50 per person.

Tour Guidelines

While visiting Stephen King’s home, visitors are asked to respect the privacy of the current living situation. Visitors will be asked to stay on the defined tour route to ensure the protection of the house and neighboring properties. For the safety of the home and surroundings, bags and photography are not permitted on the tour. Visitors are also asked to refrain from touching any interior or exterior surfaces other than stair railings.

Don’t miss the chance to visit Stephen King’s home in Bangor, Maine. Book your tour today and experience the magic of this iconic author’s residence.

In conclusion, this comprehensive tour guide has provided an in-depth look into the world of Stephen King and his iconic home in Bangor, Maine. By exploring the distinct exterior design and architecture, unique interior decor, and understanding his writing process, you can gain a deeper appreciation for this renowned author’s residence. Additionally, learning about his community involvement and famous visitors sheds light on the property’s significance and cultural impact.

To experience the magic of Stephen King’s home firsthand, plan your visit and book a guided tour through the appropriate channels. With the information provided in this guide, you can prepare for an enriching experience that will leave you with an appreciation for both the author and the property.

Can I visit Stephen King’s home in Bangor, Maine?

No, Stephen King’s home is not open to the public for tours or visits. It is a private residence where the author lives.

Are there any tours available to see Stephen King’s home?

No, there are no official tours available to visit Stephen King’s home. It is not included in any guided tour or tourist attraction.

Can I take pictures outside Stephen King’s home?

It is respectful to the privacy of the author and his family to not take pictures outside Stephen King’s Home. Please refrain from trespassing or invading their privacy.

Is Stephen King’s home haunted?

There are no reports or evidence to suggest that Stephen King’s home in Bangor, Maine, is haunted.

Can I meet Stephen King if I visit Bangor, Maine?

Meeting Stephen King is highly unlikely as he is a private individual who values his privacy. It is important to respect his personal space and not approach the author at his home.

Are there any official Stephen King tours in Bangor, Maine?

Yes, there are official Stephen King tours available in Bangor, Maine. These tours focus on notable locations and landmarks related to the author’s life and works, but they do not include a visit to his private home.

What are some other attractions to visit in Bangor, Maine?

Bangor, Maine, offers a range of attractions for visitors, including the Bangor Waterfront, the Maine Discovery Museum, the Penobscot Theatre Company, and the Stephen King-inspired “Paul Bunyan” statue.

Are there any souvenir shops in Bangor that sell Stephen King merchandise?

Yes, there are several souvenir shops and bookstores in Bangor, Maine, that sell Stephen King merchandise, including books, t-shirts, mugs, and other collectibles related to the author’s works.

Can I visit the locations where Stephen King’s movies were filmed in Bangor, Maine?

Yes, you can visit various locations in Bangor, Maine, where movies based on Stephen King’s works were filmed, such as the Paul Bunyan statue in Bass Park, featured in the movie “It.”

Is there a Stephen King museum in Bangor, Maine?

No, there is currently no Stephen King museum in Bangor, Maine.

Can I take a self-guided tour of Stephen King’s Bangor, Maine?

Yes, you can explore locations associated with Stephen King’s life and works in Bangor, Maine, on a self-guided tour. There are maps and resources available that highlight these points of interest.

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Great Tour, they are so friendly and knowledgeable of what they are showing you. My husband and I... read more

Stephen King Tour in Bangor, Maine

Loved it! The tour was so fun and our guide was very knowledgeable about everything Stephen King. Before we left, I was actually feeling guilty for dragging my husband along because he is not a book person like I am but he enjoyed the tour as well. It's the next best thing to meeting Stephen King himself.

Tour in a van with 3 others and an excellent guide. Lots of SK specifics but quite a bit of other info about the area. I’m glad I went.

I loved all the information about the background of the stories, it also reminded me of stories i read so long ago that I really want to reread them! It was also nice to see and hear about the different projects that the King family supports.It was also very interesting to learn some of the history of Bangor, we had a great time!

Fun trip with a guide that knew everything you need to know about King! Thank you, new books by SK have been bought!

Our family was making our first visit to Maine for a vacation. We live in North Carolina and Seattle Washington. We are big Steven King fans, so for one of our activities, we booked this tour. There were great reviews of SK Tours, so this looked great. In fact, one of us received a gift certificate for this tour as a Christmas present. in late April, we contacted Stewart to book the tour. As we already had our airline flights and our vacation house rented, we knew exactly what date and time we wanted for the tour. We confirmed with Stewart on the phone the date and time plus the number of guests (5 of us) for the tour. He subsequently emailed me with directions for where to meet for the tour. On the day we arrived for the tour (we were staying in Rockland, so we drove up to Bangor for the tour), we saw Stewart's tour van while we were eating lunch. The tour was scheduled for 2 hours later. One of us went out to talk to Stewart about our tour later that day. He said that he had been contacted by group who wanted to do a documentary on Steven King, so his wife would be giving the tour instead of him. In fact, he was parked near the restaurant we were eating lunch at to pick up the documentary "crew". This was fine with us- we figured his wife would be just as good a tour guide. We re-confirmed the pick-up spot and the time with Stewart. At the appointed time, we went to the public parking lot for pick up by his wife. She never showed. We waited 45 minutes. We called and emailed repeatedly during this time-no answers. So we decided to just tour on our own. We looked up some of the Steven King sites and headed out. When we got to Steven King's house, low and behold-there was Stewart giving an interview to a cameraman (no crew-just one guy). We waited until he finished talking and then told him his wife had never shown. And I asked for the money back for the pre-paid gift certificate-which he did pay us in cash. Here are now the stories that we were told: 1) I don't know why my wife didn't meet you-this was said in person. 2) We don't have any record for you scheduling a visit (this was sent by email later that day). I immediately forwarded him the email he had sent to me giving directions for the pick-up. (And if this was true, why did he tell us his wife was picking us up?) 3)-Once he saw that email, the story changed to "we found your reservation, but you made if for May 31st, and you didn't show up" Really? a vacation that was well-planned out-we just gave a completely wrong date?? And if excuse number 3 actually happened, why wouldn't he just send an email and say "sorry I missed you?" Ok-so 3 different stories, all bogus. it seems clear that he wanted to do the documentary and blew us off. It would have been nice for him to be honest from the beginning. Very disappointed in how this was handled.

Big "Steven" King Fans? Thanks pell his name correctly; it's Stephen. As I explained to you, I had you confused with the couple that me wife was taking that day, I did not realize that you were a party of 5, not the 2 that I thought you were. We have done this for 10 years and have screwed up twice, so I'm not going to lose sleep over you. We made a legitimate mistake somewhere along the line from April, and have apologized for it. We would have taken you the following day but you didn't want to drive back to Bangor, so let it go. You got your $45.00 back, and if your son had not used the F word all through his tirade in fron of Steve's house, I might have been more inclined to help you that afternoon. Stuart - Not Stewart

The tour operator is extremely knowledgeable, offering personal insights beyond mere facts. He displayed a passion for Stephen King as a writer, but also praised King and his wife as humanitarians, proud of their connection to Bangor. Easy to recommend.

SK Tours of Maine

Review Highlights

“ You cannot beat his knowledge of Stephen King and his works because of his connection to King and to Bangor. ” in 25 reviews

“ Stu is a font of knowledge, and getting to see behind the curtain of some of my favorite books was amazing. ” in 27 reviews

“ Jamie is the perfect tour guide as he has grown up in the shadow of the standpipe and his family knows the Kings. ” in 14 reviews

Location & Hours

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872 Hammond St

Bangor, ME 04401

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We are the ONLY guided, narrated tour of Stephen King's "Derry Maine" here in Bangor, Maine! …

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Ok, ok, ok, I C-A-N-N-O-T read horror books, nor watch horror movies. If I do, I cannot sleep, jump at any sound or movement and that lasts for days. I think I could be diagnosed as a scaredy-cat. YET, my whole family filled a tour bus and we were on-our-way. BOY am I glad we took this tour! Wait, I have read a Stephen King novel: I listened to King's book (read by him) on how to write a book; On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft. Imagine reading (listening) to a book read by the author as part memoir and instruction. It was more than a good read, so I CAN read a Stephen King novel. I can watch a Stephen King movie, The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile are classics I enjoyed watching and re-watching. We can do this tour. We traveled north to watch the Total Eclipse in Millinocket, Maine spending a couple of days in Bangor, launching from there for day trips. Jamie was our tour guide. It's rare to find a tour guide that loves his job as much as Jamie and he GUSHES over the subject matter: Stephen King. I never realized how philanthropic Stephen and Tabitha King are. Their fingers touched every corner of Bangor and its residents. But more than that, Jamie talked about how King interacted with his father at the family bookstore, how King walked through the city daily, and how he observed King on a park bench across from his house writing on a legal pad. Jamie treated King as a treasure. We got it. My only hope is that someday the King family, perhaps on a lark, take a tour with Jamie. All would walk away delighted and closer, The Way Life Should Be. Where's the 6-star button?

What can I say about this tour that hasn't already been said? Aside from getting to tour Bangor, which is the layout for Derry in many King books, I also learned so much about "Steve and Tabby" from this tour. Tidbits about their lives before success, their amazing and generous charity work, and a lot of random bits and bobs. I`m not sure what I was expecting for a tour around Bangor(a small town), but this exceeded my expectations. Jamie, our tour guide was a delight. Friendly, funny, knowledgeable about the Kings. He and his dad(who used to run the tour), know the Kings and have made it their lives work to know and share all things SK. The tour bus was very comfy with large windows that you can see plenty out of while passing King related areas. Tours are usually BOOKED ahead of time, so please make a reservation online. We stopped at a few highlight areas in "Derry" and had a chance midway to stop at a mini mart for snacks and a restroom break. There are plenty of opportunities to take photos at the famous areas, including the King home(be respectful of the area) and there is ample time to really walk around and immerse yourself in a King story. Gift shop is small but cute with plenty of King related items. The only thing I wish they had was more t-shirts that weren't purely IT related. Get some more variety before I come back, y'all! I have been wanting to do this for a while and I`m so glad I traveled to Maine to make this happen for myself. Tour was great, Maine is beautiful, and the people are friendly. Don`t forget to have some blueberry pie.

Guide was so knowledgeable and had a great time on the tour. Our group was fun too- definitely should book! Easier to see all the spots than drive around yourself.

Highly recommend tour! My mom and I took this tour yesterday. She's not familiar with a lot of Stephen King's works, but I am and she had a wonderful time as did I. Jamie, our tour guide is full of Bangor and Stephen King knowledge and this tour is definitely worth it. The tour bus is very comfortable and clean and you can see out any of the large windows regardless of where you're sitting. The bus makes several stops where you can get out and take pictures at iconic SK sites. The tour starts and ends at a Stephen King gift shop with something for everyone. Jamie is highly engaging and grew up in Bangor so he knows where all the must-see's are. I thought I knew everything about King, but I learned a lot on this tour including the philanthropy and community involvements the Kings have contributed to. We were fascinated the whole time and can't wait to come back to take this tour again.

Took this tour a few years ago, and still relive the memory of visiting famous Sk sites. The tour guides were so nice and when i booked it an told them i was 6ft 6 they made sure I was comfortable. One of my best travel experiences. And yes I am a SK fan.

I've heard great things about this tour for awhile now and being a huge SK fan, I finally got to find this out for myself today. I was completely impressed with the tour and the gentleman, Jamie, who runs it. His knowledge of the King family, SK's extensive works and of Bangor itself, is fantastic. He doesn't leave you wanting and he was often humorous. It felt like I had stepped into the world of Derry Maine and I don't have the words to describe how awesome that was.... I 100% recommend this tour to EVERYONE! I hope to someday take it myself again. Oh and the gift shop afterwards? So cool!! Thank you to SK tours for an incredible experience.

Let me tell you about this tour. This is our second time taking the tour our first time was with Jamie & this past time was with Jennifer. Both times were fantastic! (I'm going to focus on this past time, this time though) We took a private tour with Jennifer an she was so informative and amazing!! She asked us our favorite books and movies and went from there! So much information on IT, Pet Semetery & more! She also went above and beyond and added some historic facts about Bangor which we loved! If you have already took the tour, please be reminded each tour is not the same, you learn more and more each time and its so amazingly worth it! We cant wait to go again!

See all photos from Sarah M. for SK Tours of Maine

Excited to stop and enjoy King memorabilia. Missed the tour but will come back. Enjoyed it immensely

See all photos from Shahidah A. for SK Tours of Maine

Jennifer was an amazing guide, knowledgeable and friendly. She was patient with our questions and wove a great story. This was by far the best thing we have done here and if we came back I'd do it again. Hit all the highlights and some I didn't even know. Don't try to do this yourself or who ever is driving will miss something and you don't want to do that! Also, such a comfortable ride for all and she had water for us and umbrellas as it was a spooky rainy day

Yesterday we took the SK Tours of Maine all around Bangor. We had such a fun and informative tour by our guide, Jamie! He took us all around town and showed us so many places that were featured in the books and movies by Stephen King. He spoke very highly of Mr. & Mrs. King and all the wonderful work they have done for their town. If you ever come up here to Bangor, please take this tour and book it in advance! I highly recommend it, it's so worth it!

See all photos from Kathy C. for SK Tours of Maine

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Stephen King Rules in Bangor, Maine: A Tour Through the Town That Inspires a Horror Legend

This Stephen King nerd's dreams come true in the town that inspired Derry, Maine.

Stephen King 's presence is writ large in the town of Bangor, Maine, even if he'd perhaps prefer it not to be. Born in Portland, Maine, the legendary, wildly prolific horror author has kept a home in or around Bangor for decades now. From the small trailer he shared with his wife Tabby back in the 70s, when the pair could scarcely find two nickels to rub together, to the gorgeous mid-19th century home they share now that their fortunes have considerably changed, Bangor has long served as an inspiration for the author (most famously as the basis for IT 's Derry, Maine) and stepping through the streets of the New England town is like stepping into the pages of one of his novels, strangely familiar even if you've never been there before.

And if Bangor's presence is felt in his books, King has also made his presence felt throughout the town. His house, for one, has become something of a pilgrimage for fans -- the grass beyond the cast iron gates trampled beyond repair by the boots of eager King-o-philes taking snapshots of appropriately gothic looking home. But, he has also made a genuine impact on the town, famously generous and charitable, setting up scholarship funds for local students, building ball parks and community pools, and refusing to put his name on any of it -- except, of course, his local rock 'n roll radio station, WKIT, which he outfitted with a bigger, better broadcast tower and proudly labelled as his own. But that's the only one of his additions to the town you'll find bearing his name, according to the fantastically knowledgeable tour guide Stu Tinker , who runs the local SK Tours.

With The Dark Tow er in theaters this weekend, I had an opportunity earlier this week to visit Bangor, where Tinker took me and a small group of journalists around the town to learn about the sights and experiences that inspired King's works. We were also joined by Robin Furth , King's longtime personal assistant, who started with the author with On Writing and wrote The Dark Tower Concordance . It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience, and I haven't even got to the part where we interviewed King himself ahead of our screening. ( You can read that full interview here ).

But let's start at the beginning. After flying to Manhattan with an air of mystery hanging over the trip, we were driven to Teterboro Airport and shepherded onto a private jet, where we found long-stem red roses waiting for us in our seats. Boy, let me tell you, flying on a private jet really is all it's cracked up to be. Have you ever wished a flight would be longer? Yeah, me neither... until we got on that jet. A short hop and a skip across state lines and we landed in Bangor and headed to our first stop, Dysart's truck stop, which served as the inspiration for King's short story Trucks and later his first and only directorial attempt, the ill-fated Maximum Overdrive .

A short hop and a skip across state lines and we landed in Bangor and headed to our first stop, Dysart's truck stop, which served as the inspiration for King's short story Trucks and later his first and only directorial attempt, the ill-fated Maximum Overdrive. After enjoying some quintessential New England seafood at the diner, we jumped into the van with Tinker and Furth, who led us on a 2+ hour excursion through King Country. A short drive took us to the trailer park where the Kings lived in the 70s, a humble double-wide overgrown with tall grass, where Tabby plucked the manuscript for Carrie out the trash, told her husband to get back to work, and saved the story that would launch his career.

From there, we headed down the freeway where King set his dystopian nightmare The Long Walk and slid into the parking lot of a local store by the name of Flagg's. Yep, it inspired the name for King's great evil incarnate, Randall Flagg, though Tinker says King has never actually gone inside the store itself. We're told King found many of his other character names on the gravestones in Mt. Hope Cemetary ("You can't get sued by dead people"), the next stop on our trip and the location where King filmed his Pet Sematary cameo.

From there, we're off for a quick stop at King's radio station (the wifi network was "Shawshank"), and then it's the big one -- a stop at the King estate. Tinker says that King will often come down and say hello to folks on the tour. Naturally, we're all hoping we'll have such luck, but when we arrive we're told the car is gone. I was still holding out hope to see King's adorable dog Molly, aka The Thing of Evil, bound across the yard, but the cards were not in our favor that day. In keeping with King's reputation for humility, he leaves his driveway gate wide open, and in keeping with Bangor's reputation for friendliness, nobody bothers him.

From there, we kicked off an IT heavy portion of the tour. Just a few streets over we find the storm drain that is said to have inspired Georgie's horrific meeting with Pennywise the clown -- not the gutter we've come to associate it with thanks to the miniseries, rather, a small circular grid in the street. Easy to overlook and hard to imagine that it conjured such grisly images in King's mind -- but that's what makes him one of the greats. Next, we hit up the Standpipe -- a giant construct. A few feet down a grassy hill sits a bench, where we're told King would sit and hand write page of IT . There is no sign commemorating this, no hint that a horror classic was created in this spot. That feels very #OnBrand for King.

We drive through the barrens, which look just like you always pictured the ones in the Bangor-inspired town of Derry, we pass a canal, again conjuring the image of Derry, and we end up in Old Town at the storefront of Gerald Winters and Sons -- a Stephen King centric bookstore, filled wall to wall with rare books, signed books and specialty trinkets. Finally, we're off to the Oriental Jade; a favorite local restaurant of King's and the inspiration for IT 's The Jade of the Orient. We didn't find any eyeballs in our fortune cookies, but we did get some tasty Lo-Mein and then we were off to screen The Dark Tower . Of course, Sony had one last surprise up their sleeves -- that 20 minute sit-down with King himself. Truly a career highlight, and a moment that proves sometimes you really should meet your heroes after all.

Now, there's no substitution for the real thing and if you're ever in Bangor, you absolutely should look up SK Tours because they are fantastic, and if you ever run into Stephen King, you should get over being star struck and chat the dude up because he's also a gem. But for now, you can check out the sights of Bangor in the images below.

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Nicole Estaphan explores the city at the crossroads of Maine: Bangor, once the lumber capital of the world.

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SK Tours takes visitors on a journey through locations featured in Stephen King’s fictional Derry, Maine. The tour also discusses the generous philanthropic donations the Kings have made to the Queen City: Bangor, Maine.

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Stephen King Tour: October Fun in Bangor, Maine

This post contains affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through these links. You can read my full disclosure policy  here .

This tour can, of course, be done any time of year. However, I highly recommend it in October because what else makes for better Halloween fun than touring filming locations and learning about the personal life of perhaps the greatest horror author in history? Nothing. Yep, that’s what I thought too. So let’s get to it. Allow me to show you how to get your Stephen King tour on!

Bangor, Maine-Discovering Stephen King

I have visited Bangor, Maine a couple of times as my cousin lives in the area. Even though I’ve been reading Stephen King books since I was a teenager and I’ve seen most of the movies, I had not previously heard of Bangor and knew almost nothing about the personal side of the author behind the highly-engaging books-turned-films.

So when I visited my cousin in the month of October and learned that it was the home of Stephen King where I could take an entire Stephen King tour that included visiting filming locations and even seeing his home, I was 100% in! My cousin’s husband is also a big SK (as he is commonly known) fan too so he joined me on the tour and we made it an SK day!

SK Tours of Maine

Stu Tinker made a Stephen King tour of “Derry” possible with his SK Tours of Maine . The Bangor native and his wife, Penney (name coincidental), owned and operated Betts Bookstore for twenty years where they specialized in all things Stephen King. For the last nine years of their ownership, their entire stock was Stephen King only. The Tinkers received support from the Kings and became known as the premier place to go for Stephen King memorabilia.

After selling the bookstore, Stu and Penney concentrated on giving Stephen King tours in Bangor . The decision proved to be a smart one as the tours became quite popular and have been taken by visitors from all over the world.

Stephen King Tour-Bangor, Maine

The following are some of the places you will see on the tour.

Mount Hope Cemetery

Mount Hope Cemetery is where the original Pet Sematary was filmed. I am aware that a remake was released earlier this year for the movie’s 30th anniversary, but it was filmed in Canada.

If you recall (or don’t recall but are interested in knowing), Mr. King makes a cameo appearance in Pet Sematary as a minister conducting Gage’s funeral. The location is at the top of this hill’s stone staircase (on the State Street side of the cemetery).

This is the location in the film where they buried Gage the first time.

Fun Facts: Mr. King got a lot of his character names (such as Carrie) from the graves in this cemetery. It is the second oldest cemetery in America and the only one in the state built into a hill. The oldest grave dates back to 1777.

Mount Hope Cemetery SK Work: Pet Sematary (1989) 1048 State Street, Bangor, Maine

Does the name Randall Flagg sound familiar to anyone? To Stephen King fans, it should. It’s the name of Stephen King’s “bad guy” and has appeared in as many as nine of his books.

On the tour, we learned that the villain’s name came from the R.M. Flagg on this kitchen store’s red building. Mr. King has apparently never done business with the store. However, he drove back and forth on Route 2 from Bangor to University of Maine, Orono campus and wrote about a lot of the things he saw along the way for the entire four years!

R.M. Flagg SK Work: Multiple 1212 State St, Veazie, ME 04401

Bangor Water Works Apartments

The Bangor Water Works Apartments served as the rat-infested textile mill in the film Graveyard Shift . 500 rats were used in the scene and when they moved film production, two individuals had to round up all of the rats for Jackson Labs. Because the rats were biting, the task took the guys three extra days to complete!

Fun Fact: Formerly the Bangor Waterworks building constructed in 1875, the property was empty for 40 years before becoming home to 35 residential efficiency apartments for homeless teens as it is today.

Bangor Water Works Apartments SK Work: Graveyard Shift (1990) 1 Waterworks Rd, Bangor, ME 04401

East Maine Medical Center

To my knowledge (if anyone knows differently, let me know), the East Maine Medical Center in Bangor isn’t a film location. However, it probably is my favorite story pertaining to the personal side of Mr. King.

Stephen read bedtime stories to the kids in the pediatric wing. No one knew for 3 of the 4 years he read to the children except his family and the staff who would sneak him in.

He also started a fundraiser for many improvements such as painting rooms and installing TVs. This raised 1.8 million dollars and Mr. King personally matched the amount. He and his wife, Tabitha, were also behind the establishment of a Ronald McDonald House allowing parents who couldn’t afford to stay in Bangor the ability to stay with their kids while they were hospitalized.

Fun Facts: The only rules were no clowns and no balloons! CRY ALERT: Bunny rabbits and teddy bears were placed in the neonatal wing but when Tabitha realized the babies were always looking straight up at the ceiling she had all the ceilings painted with bunny rabbits and teddy bears! 😍😢🐰🐻

East Maine Medical Center 489 State St, Bangor, ME 04401

WKIT Radio Station

Stephen King owns his own radio station WKIT (well, of course!) 100.3 FM or Stephen King’s Rock Station. The “K” is for King and the IT…well, come on now. 🤡🎈

Fun Facts: It is the only radio station in Bangor that still has the presence of an in-house DJ (part-time) and is the only sign that bears Mr. King’s name.

WKIT Radion Station 861 Broadway, Bangor, Mane 04401

KidsPeace National Center

What is now the KidsPeace National Center was Stephen King’s business office for years. The address, 49 Florida Avenue, would come up as his residential address and people would flock to it only to realize that he did not, in fact, reside there.

KidsPeace National Center 49 Florida Avenue, Bangor, Maine 04401

Shawn T. Mansfield Stadium

“…this is a field that a King built” is one of many things upon which Shawn T. Mansfield Stadium prides itself.

Way before Mr. King built a 1.2 million dollar stadium on the property which he donated to the city of Bangor, it was just a grassy field. This grassy field served as the inspiration for the park in Mr. King’s book, Thinner .

Left : Stephen King was a coach of the 1989 Maine State Little League Champion team  Right: Stephen and Tabitha King’s name appears on the home plate since they donated the money to fund the park.

Fun Facts: Mr. King’s house backs up to the scoreboard and in the winter you can see the house after the leaves fall.

Shawn T. Mansfield Stadium SK Work: Thinner (1996) 115 13th St, Bangor, ME 04401

Stephen King’s House

Cruising by Stephen King’s house is a treat for anyone, fan or not. It’s quite the unusual, quirky house and definitely fits Mr. King’s personality. In addition to the house number of 47, the black wrought iron gates also feature spiders as well as a “K” with a three-headed dragon looking over it!

Fun Facts: The famous author has been seen waving and even coming out to greet fans occasionally. And, for the release of It in 2017, he even put a red balloon in one of his windows!

Pay attention to the detail on the wrought iron gates!

Stephen King’s House 47 West Broadway, Bangor, Maine 04401

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IT   Locations-Stephen King Tour

The infamous drain.

Say hello to the drain that gave Mr. King the inspiration for It . The infamous drain at the corner of Union and Jackson Streets looks like any other ordinary drain in the city but not like the one featured in the 1990 film.

Did Pennywise show up to say hi??? 😱🤡🎈

Infamous Drain SK Work: It  (1990) Corner of Union and Jackson Streets, Bangor, Maine

Thomas Hill Standpipe

The Thomas Hill Standpipe was the inspiration for the haunted water tower in It . Constructed in 1897, the wrought iron tank has a wooden frame and holds 1.75 million gallons of water. The tank stands 50 feet high and has a diameter of 75 feet.

The park bench in “Memorial Park” where Mr. King is said to have written most of the book, It , which was published in 1986.

Fun Fact: The tower opens four times a year to allow visitors to enjoy the beautiful views from its promenade deck.

Thomas Hill Standpipe SK Work: It  (1990) 41 Thomas Hill Rd, Bangor, ME 04401

Meet Me at the Sewers

This cement structure built into a small hill is the location where the kids meet in the movie, It, before they head into the sewers.

Sewer Meeting Spot SK Work: It  (1990) Unknown

Paul Bunyan Statue

That giant Paul Bunyan statue that came to life in It and attacked Richie? Yep, this is it…no pun intended although it would have sounded cooler with intent, right?

Paul Bunyan Statue SK Work: It  (1990) 519 Main St, Bangor, ME 04401

Bangor Public Library

The Bangor Public Library appeared as the Town Hall building of “Derry” in It . Derry is, of course, fictional but Mr. King has stated that Bangor, Maine served as his inspiration for the famous fictional town.

Fun Fact: Another good work here, Mr. and Mrs. King donated 2.5 million dollars back in the 90s towards renovations that funded the library’s new wing.

Bangor Public Library SK Work: It  (1990) 145 Harlow St, Bangor, ME 04401

Fantastic Fun Facts:

• Stephen and Tabitha King are known affectionately as “Steve and Tabby” to family and friends. As I am relaying stories told to us by our tour guide, Stu, a friend of the Kings, I will refer to them as “Steve and Tabby”.
• Since Steve didn’t have a phone, Kirby sent him a telegram saying congrats on the $400,000. The Kings thought it was a misprint and they would be getting $2,000 (half of what they thought was the original $4,000). Steve sent back a telegram asking when they could expect the $2,000 check. Kirby responded with “It’s $200,000, not $2,000, dummy!” and didn’t even sign his name. He knew Steve was an English major and not a math major! 😂
• Tabby read the telegram and called Steve at work. Since she never did this, Steve thought one of his kids had died. Tabby had to read the telegram to him four times before it sunk in and he didn’t remember much after that. But, he went to buy her a handheld blow dryer as a gift to give her that very night to thank her for sticking by him. It was $8.99 plus tax which was all he had at the time. They no longer wondered how they were going to pay their $65 rent. However, they did budget out $10,000 per year to make the money last for 20 years.
• Tabby was hungry and wanted to eat before they made the one-hour return drive to Boulder. So, they ate at a restaurant where they were the only patrons. Only three tables were set. All the others had the chairs upside down, covered with sheets. Classical music began playing as soon as their food arrived and Steve came up with the entire outline of the book at that moment. They wound up staying in the area while he finished writing out the details.
• Steve and Tabby’s older son, Joe, was the youngest person to fly on the Concord. The Kings had tried living in the United Kingdom but became so homesick that they returned home six weeks later, losing all the money on their rental house. Steve spent $14,000 on Concord tickets and they were back in the USA within four hours. Though at the time they were unaware, Tabby returned home from the UK pregnant with their younger son, Owen.
• Stephen Edwin King just turned 72 on Sept 21. He was born on 9.21.47 but it is thought to just be a coincidence that his address (displayed so prominently on his gate) is 47.

Okay SK fans, pretty interesting stuff, right? I loved what all I learned about Mr. King. I was already in love with his writing but I totally have a newfound appreciation for him after learning more about his personal life. If you are an SK fan, a movie buff, or just looking for cool Halloween fun, I definitely recommend this Stephen King tour!

Hungry after getting your SK on? My guide to Maine-ly eating will give you ten options to solve that problem!

Have you been to Bangor? Are you a Stephen King fan? What is your favorite movie? What location on this tour would you be most excited about? 

‘Til next time…

Trimm Travels,

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22 Comments

How interesting! I love Stephen King as an author and this looks like such an interesting tour about him. I loved the fun facts also.

Hi Sam-It’s a really fun and unique tour. He’s a great guy and has done so many things for his community I never knew about. Thanks for reading! 🙂

Stephan King is one of my very favorite authors. I am pretty sure I have read almost everything he has wrote. This sounds like a super fun tour. I had no idea it existed. I love that Stu Tinker’s wife s named Penney, that is a great coincidence. This is a tour I would love to take.

Hi Wendy-I know, I loved that name coincidence too! Isn’t he a fabulous author? You would love this tour and I hope you get to take it one day! Thanks for reading! 🙂

We had no idea there was a Stephen King tour let alone in Maine. I absolutely love old cemeteries though so I would have eaten that visit up!

Hi Wildish Wander-Yes, there is and you would love it if you like old cemeteries! Thanks for reading! 🙂

I can imagine this tour would be so popular with SK fans. I love the house and in particular the gate with the spiders and bats.I didn’t realise he was that old, or that he used to read bedtime stories to kids in hospital. I just hope they weren’t scary stories though. Such a great idea doing this fun tour for Halloween.

Hi Tania-No they weren’t scary bedtime stories that he read to the kids. Scary didn’t come into play at the hospital. No clowns or balloons allowed either. He has such a softie side. And yes, it’s a great Halloween tour! Thanks for reading! 🙂

I love the books of King. I just read everything as a teenager, which I could get my hands on. I have never seen the films. I did not want to destroy the illusions of the thoughts I had reading.

Hi Susanne-I understand that. Some of the films though are really good! Thanks for reading! 🙂

As I was reading this through I wondered what Mr. King would think of the tours…but given that he occasionally waves to the tourists or comes out to greet them, he must be OK with it! I remember reading Pet Semetary and seeing the movie – it scared the CRAP out of me! I recognized Mount Hope Cemetery from your photos even before I read the description. 🙂

Hi Jim-Haha, great minds think alike. I wondered that same thing. What does Mr. King think about all of us taking photos at his house daily? But when our guide (who knows him) told us he comes out and waves/greets occasionally and even put a red balloon in his window for the release of It then I guess he doesn’t mind! He seems to very much be a people person. Thanks for reading! 🙂

Before few days, I returned from Midwest and could figure out how beautiful it might be in this Fall season. Stephen king tour in Bangor too looks interesting as the Stephen King’s house really looks quirky and especially that drain where the hand is coming out. I also loved that here Fall is significantly visible as many trees have yellow leaves. Also Memorial park looks very beautiful.

Hi Yukti-Yes, Maine is one of the prettiest states to visit in the fall for sure! Mr. King’s house is definitely quirky and fits him well. Thanks for reading! 🙂

Oh how cool! We both used to read Stephen King’s books when we were teenagers! While some of the movies are great, we must admit that we’re not into IT. Nevertheless, we like exploring old cemeteries and visiting film locations, so we’d definitely go to Bangour when we visit Maine someday!

Hi Mei and Kerstin-I hear you…I love all the books. Some of the movies are better than others for sure. I am NOT a clown fan. At all. Not the least bit. BUT…for some reason I like It and have seen them all. Funny how that works. If you’ve both read all the books, definitely check out this tour when you’re back in the US. Thanks for reading! 🙂

That’s a perfect match between house and author, isn’t it? I knew that SK was a philanthropist, but I’d not heard about Tabitha and the bear and rabbit ceilings; that’s such a great idea. It must be strange to have connections with R. Flagg and read how the name influenced so many powerful villains; that was a new story for me. I sometimes think I’d love to visit all the SK sites, and this would be a fantastic start.

Hi Bernadette-Is it not THE perfect match of a house for SK?? I love it! I had no idea he was such a philanthropist before this tour. I love how he and his wife are a solid team and weathered through so much together. The bears and bunnies is such a cute idea. I agree it must be interesting for R. Flagg to know about its connections throughout the books! I hope you get to do the tour when you’re in the US sometime and thanks for reading! 🙂

To be honest, I’m not a fan, but my husband is. And as he doesn’t do that much reading nowadays, anything that can motivate him is worth a try :)) Anyway, the US is still far away in our travel plans, but this is worth keeping in mind. And I’m happy to see that even for me, an outsider to Stephen King’s books, the tour looks interesting and amusing, so excellent suggestion. 🙂

Hi Mirela-Oh I get it, this genre isn’t for everyone but it’s nice to know that you find the tour interesting even if not a fan. His philanthropy side is worth it all by itself! Glad to hear your husband is a fan. Thanks for reading! 🙂

Hi. I am a huge SK fan. We will be taking the tour in August, when we visit there. I am super excited! I have waited for this trip since I was a teenager.

Hi Brenda-If you are a huge SK fan you will LOVE this tour! I’m excited for you because it’s such a cool and unique adventure. I would love to hear your thoughts after you take it! Thanks for reading! 🙂

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Take a Spine-Tingling Trip Around Stephen King’s Maine

F or the best part of the past half a century, Stephen King has given some of the finest fantasy, horror, sci-fi and suspense novels to the literary world. Fans of the acclaimed author are probably already aware that Maine is the place that he calls home. Many of his tales, and their subsequent cinema and television adaptations, are set to a backdrop of the state’s small towns and their idiosyncrasies. These once unassuming towns are peppered with curious landmarks that inspired King and provide fanatics with the nightmare-including fixes they crave.

This literary journey begins in the city of Bangor, where the Losers Club battled with perhaps the most fearsome clown ever known. It then moves on to explore the Pet Sematary in the serene towns of Orrington, Hancock and Ellsworth. The locations lay scattered around south-central Maine and are comfortable to discover on a self-guided road trip. Or there’s an option to take guided tours with a family of diehard King enthusiasts.

Visit Bangor for Pennywise Pranks and the Losers Club

Most Mainers will probably agree that if it weren’t for Stephen King then Bangor wouldn’t have received such international fame. But this riverside city and the nation’s former lumber capital, located a two-hour drive north of Portland, is where the novelist settled in 1979. You can walk right up to the gates of the house where he and his wife Tabitha live on 47 West Broadway, in the Whitney Park Historic District. Decorated with gargoyles and with bats perched upon the gates, the redbrick Victorian mansion looks prime for a murder mystery.

Photo: Nagel Photography /Shutterstock

Bangor is also the real life version of Derry, one of three fictional towns that King invented and based his books around. This is where the shapeshifting dancing clown Pennywise tortured and tormented the misfit members of the Losers Club in It . Make the Thomas Hill Standpipe your first stop on the It trail. Seemingly harmless to look at, it served as the haunted water tower.

Photo: Bangor Water

Rumor has it that King wrote the book while gazing at the tower from a bench in the adjacent park. From here it’s a short stroll to a sewer drain at the corner of Union and Jackson streets, which was the inspiration for the opening scene in the book. We can’t confirm if Pennywise lives down there or not, so it’s up to you if you reach your hand inside like the unsuspecting Georgie did.

About a mile and a half away from the normal-looking but creepy drain stands the Paul Bunyan Statue. He’s a jovial celebration of a folkloric giant lumberjack revered for his superhuman labors. But don’t be fooled by his smile, because an evil spirit brought him to life in It and coaxed him into attacking poor Richie Tozier. The statue had a brief mention in the horror-fantasy novel Insomnia , too.

Photo: Jane Rix /Shutterstock

Back in downtown Bangor, it’s worth going for a stroll along the Kenduskeag Stream . Renamed the Barrens by King, it’s where the Losers Club came to plan the downfall of Pennywise. Feel free to scream “Who doesn’t love splashing around in shitty water?”, as was proclaimed in the original movie adaptation.

While in Derry (or Bangor) there’s a couple of other noteworthy ports of call. A mural on Union and 2nd streets depicts King alongside Maine icons such as mental-health activist Dorothea Dix and musician Patty Griffin. The Gerald Winters and Son bookshop on Main Street is the city’s go-to for first editions and memorabilia.

Wander the Sites of the Pet Sematary

Drive for about 10 minutes north along the banks of the Penobscot River from downtown Bangor and you’ll reach Mount Hope Cemetery . Not only is this the second-oldest garden cemetery in the United States, it’s also shrouded in history and legends.

Photo: Mount Hope Cemetery /Facebook

The writer was known to come here during his free time when studying in nearby Orono. Keep an eye out for the gravestone of Carrie M. Hesseltine, which was the supposed inspiration for the name of King’s breakout book Carrie. The cemetery is perhaps more famous for its appearance in the Pet Sematary movie — King even made a cameo as a minister conducting a funeral.

It’s a 20-minute drive south to our next stop, Orrington, where King and his family lived at 664 River Road in early 1979. In the woods behind the house, he stumbled upon an informal burial ground for pets that had been christened the Pet Sematary . This became the title of his self-proclaimed scariest novel. The house used for the original movie bears a striking resemblance to King’s and is located 40 miles to the east at 303 Point Road, Hancock.

If Bangor is your base then cruise back slowly via US Route 1 and highway 15, which pass through leafy villages and along the banks of rippling rivers. Consider a short detour to Dysart’s Restaurant and Truck Stop , in Hermon.

Photo: Dysarts /Facebook

It was here that a group of semi-trailers came to life and terrorized every human in sight in the short story, Trucks . Only six survived and they found refuge inside the diner, which happens to do a tasty range of baked goods, breakfasts, burgers and salads.

Take a tour with the experts

Of course, you could easily do all of the above by yourself; however, we appreciate that sometimes it’s nice to be shown around by a specialist on the subject. Based out of Bangor, SK Tours is the brainchild of Penney and Stu Tinker and their son Jamie.

Photo: SK Tours /Facebook

All are lifelong King fans and offer three-hour tours of notable places in and around the city. The tours pause at the Oriental Jade Asian restaurant, which inspired the Jade of the Orient in It . We doubt you’ll find any crickets or eyeballs in your fortune cookies, but you will get some authentic dumplings, miso soup and ramen noodles.

According to co-founder Jamie Tinker, King is “one of the most popular living authors, yet it’s common to see him on his daily walk, having dinner at the local restaurants, and at the local cinemas and bookstores.” Tinker states that the “King family’s quiet generosity and charitable giving towards our schools, parks, libraries, theaters, hospitals, shelters, and recovery centers throughout the area have enriched the lives of more people in the region than we’ll ever know.” One of Jamie’s favorite spots on the tour is the Thomas Hill Standpipe, which he grew up next to and got spooked by when reading It for the first time.

The Gateway to King’s Horrors

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10 Places Every Stephen King Fan Must Stop While in Bangor

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Every Stephen King fan knows that Bangor, Maine is the inspiration for the fictional town of Derry, which provides the backdrop for several of King's novels and short stories.

Thousands upon thousands of King fans visit Bangor every year, and it seems all of them go to his house on West Broadway. (Yes, that's on the list.) But the city features many landmarks that appear in some shape or form in one or more of King's stories.

From the possessed Paul Bunyan statue that stands on Main Street to the picturesque Mount Hope Cemetery on the eastern edge of the city, there are plenty of places for King fans to get a look at what inspired one of the world's most prolific and popular writers.

The descriptions below really don't do justice to the city's influence on the writer -- and vice versa -- and there are tours of the city -- including SK Tours  -- that focus on King's works and feature many more local landmarks.

The Bangor Waterworks

1 Waterworks Rd, Bangor

"Graveyard Shift" first appeared in 1970 as a short story in Cavalier, a Playboy-style men's magazine. It was later part of King's "Night Shift" collection and was made into a movie in 1990. In that movie --including the scene below -- the tunnels under the old Bangor Waterworks  served as the home  to the army of giant rats that caused all sorts of trouble. Today, the main structure has been turned into low-income housing -- minus the rats.

Mount Hope Cemetery

1048 State Street, Bangor

If you've seen "Pet Sematary," you've seen Mount Hope Cemetery. Remember the scene in which King, himself, appears in the graveyard as a minister presiding over a funeral? Yup,  that's the place.  If you haven't seen the movie, the trailer -- including King's cameo -- is below. The cemetery --  one of the nation's oldest garden cemeteries  -- is more than 181 years old.. A side note: The farmhouse featured in the film is in about an hour away in the coastal town of Hancock, and  looks pretty much the same today  as it did then.

Thomas Hill Standpipe

Thomas Hill Road, Bangor

The Thomas Hill Standpipe served as the inspiration for the haunted and dangerous water tower in "It," and it's said King wrote much of the book, published in 1986, on a park bench in the small park at the base of the tower. The Standpipe was built in 1897 and holds 1.75 million gallons of water for the city. There are  tours  to the top where you can see for a long, long way on a clear day.

Corner of Jackson and Union Streets

King fans can also see the sewer drain into which the evil clown Pennywise lured young Georgie Denbrough (and ripped off his arm) at the outset of "It." The drain at the corner of Union and Jackson Streets (just down the street from the Standpipe) that caught King's imagination looks like any other in the city (and not like the one featured in the 1990 movie.) As for what lies below, well, we can't really say for sure.

Paul Bunyan Statue

Sure, old Paul is smiling here on a recent sunny day when this photo was taken, but no one was laughing when the giant statue came to life in "It" and attacked Richie Tozier after being possessed by an evil spirit. Not so friendly then, were you Paul? The statue is also mentioned in "Insomnia" when pharmacist Joe Wyzer drives past it.

Dysart's Truck Stop

530 Coldbrook Rd, Hermon

Dysart's Restaurant is actually in Hermon, which borders Bangor to the west. The popular truck stop is  said to have inspired  King's short story "Trucks." The story was the basis for his 1986 directorial debut in "Maximum Overdrive," starring Emilio Esteves. The movie didn't  get great reviews , but I confess, it's a guilty pleasure of mine. Maybe it's all the explosions.

Bangor International Airport

287 Godfrey Blvd., Bangor

Much of the "The Langoliers," a novella part of King's "Four Past Midnight" collection, takes place in Bangor. The 1995 film adaption is also filmed in part at the city's small airport (as you will see below.) King fans flying into Bangor from far away will recognize the runway and the terminal from the movie.

The New Franklin Laundry

125 Fern Street, Bangor

Okay, you can't really see this building anymore. (This is a 2011 photo from Google Street View.) It was  torn down  to make way for new housing in 2012. But before it was, King worked for a stint at New Franklin Laundry, an industrial laundry in the city's "tree streets" neighborhood. He called it the  worst job he ever had,  but it did inspire King the writer.  "The Mangler,"  a 1972 story that was turned into a movie in 1995, features a possessed press (Say that three times fast!) King imagined while working at the laundry.

Hampden Academy

Main Road North, Hampden

How cool would it have been to have Stephen King as a teacher? King started teaching English at Hampden Academy in the fall of 1971, but left in 1973 after a publisher picked up the rights to his debut novel, "Carrie." The old campus is no longer in use. A new Hampden Academy was built in 2012. This photo is from the 1973 Hampden Academy yearbook.

Stephen King's House

47 West Broadway, Bangor

Constructed in 1858 and surrounded by a black iron fence with gargoyles, the King's home is a mecca for his die-hard fans. On any given day, you can see them posing for photos in front of the gate and hoping to get a glimpse of the King of Horror. King bought the Bangor house in 1980 for $135,000. We're guessing it's probably paid off. He also owns houses in western Maine and in Florida. We're guessing those are paid off, too.

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Meet the Folks Behind the Tour

We have been Stephen King Fans since 1974 when Carrie was first published and have remained so ever since. In 1990, Stu and Penney bought Betts Bookstore and always kept a complete catalog of both Stephen and Tabitha’s works in stock in hardcover and paperback for 20 years. Because of the help that the Kings gave us, we became well known throughout the world as the place to go to for Stephen King items. During the last 9 years that we owned the store, we were 100% Stephen King. After selling the store, we decided to do Stephen King Tours here in “Derry”, something we had done for the SKEMERs originally years ago, and it has become a tremendous hit. We’ve met people from all over the world, all brought together by the love and enjoyment of Steve’s stories.

Stu finally decided to take his long-overdue retirement and sold SK-Tours to his son, Jamie, and Jamie’s wife, Jennifer. Jamie and Jennifer were both raised in Bangor and they have been Constant Readers for decades.

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Tourists’ love of Stephen King is helping a Bangor business grow

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Jamie Tinker estimates that in a given year for SK Tours, which offers Stephen King-themed tours around the Bangor region, the business hosts between 3,500 and 4,000 people in the months of mid-March through early December.

Eleven years ago, when his father, Stu Tinker, started the business, that number was around 200. Today, Jamie Tinker says 90 percent of SK Tours’ guests — a company he runs with his wife, Jennifer Millar — are from out of state, and have hailed from all 50 states and from countries as far away as Australia, Brazil and South Africa.

“People are coming here because of their love of the Kings. And we make sure that every person leaves with an appreciation for what they have done for our community,” Tinker said. “It is a really amazing group of fans that have built this business through word of mouth. If King fans really like something, they’ll tell others.”

Last year, it became clear it was time for SK Tours to move out of Millar and Tinker’s house and into permanent headquarters, where they would have space to expand. In June 2022, they bought the building at 872 Hammond St., and have spent the past year renovating it to include a spacious new parking lot and a gift shop featuring an array of King memorabilia, SK Tours t-shirts, locally made gifts and, of course, books.

“Before, we were picking people up in our driveway, or in parking lots around the city,” Millar said. “Now, we have one place to start and end tours. We can have a little space between work and home. And it gives people time to chat and share in their enthusiasm.”

SK Tours’ expansion is a testament to Maine visitors’ love of King, and Millar said she’s always amazed that more people don’t try to leverage the city’s connection to the author as a means to boost tourism, given his millions of fans worldwide. It is a boon to the city, though it’s hard to quantify just what sort of economic impact the King connection has.

“It kind of blows my mind that people haven’t figured out how to kind of take advantage of it a little bit more,” she said. “If only because I think people are always so delighted to hear about how much they have done for the community and how enmeshed in it they are.”

The Tinker family has been in the King business for more than 30 years, starting in 1991, when Stu Tinker bought longtime Bangor shop Bett’s Bookstore and began featuring King books prominently. He closed that store in 2009 and in 2012 started SK Tours, initially as a one-man business with Tinker showing folks around in a small red van.

By the time Jamie Tinker took it over in 2019, the business had expanded to two small buses, as well as an SUV for private tours, alongside the original red van, now affectionately nicknamed “Stu.” Tinker and Millar lead all tours, with Stu stepping in to do private tours during the peak of the season.

Tours take guests throughout the Bangor area, stopping at major King landmarks such as Stephen and Tabitha’s iconic red mansion on West Broadway; the University of Maine campus, where both Kings went to school; Bangor International Airport, the setting for “The Langoliers”; and the Standpipe and the Paul Bunyan statue, both of which are prominently featured in “It.” There are also more obscure stops, like the specific storm drain at the corner of Union and Jackson streets that inspired the famous scene between Pennywise and Georgie, also in “It.”

Among the Bangor and King-themed gifts at the new SK Tours HQ is jewelry made out of the copper from the old Bangor Public Library dome, created by Bangor jeweler Roxanne Munksgaard.

Munksgaard, who until February of this year was a co-owner of Maine Jewelry & Art on Harlow Street, takes the copper from the dome and creates jewelry out of it. Profits from the sales of the jewelry benefit the library, which has long been a favorite cause of the Kings. So far, Munksgaard says sales have raised more than $36,000 for the library.

“With the closure of the shop on Harlow, we are so glad to have a new brick and mortar shop to sell the copper jewelry at,” she said. “And to have it at a place associated with the Kings, who have given so much to our library, is really, really special.”

Tinker said SK Tours’ average customers are a couple, in which one person is a diehard King fan and the other isn’t, but goes on the tour to make their partner happy. They usually have gone to Acadia National Park or another coastal location before or after the tour and make a whole vacation out of it, spending one or several days in Bangor.

The business also gets September and October tourists that are on the “spooky” circuit in New England. Guests will do ghost tours and other Halloween-themed activities in Boston and in Salem, Massachusetts, before heading north to Maine, where Bangor’s decades-long connection to the master of horror has cemented its reputation as a spooky destination.

And yet, SK Tours and Gerald Winters & Son, a small bookseller specializing in rare King editions, are the only King-themed businesses in town. There’s no dedicated King-themed shop or King-inspired museum, or a King convention or other marquee event to draw big crowds.

But Tinker thinks it’s harder than it seems to do such a thing. He thinks King fans can quickly sniff out phoniness and won’t want to patronize something that seems like a cash grab. And the Kings themselves value both their privacy and their authenticity, and don’t give their blessing to just anyone when it comes to businesses related to King stories.

“I know what King fans are like. You’d better be ready to answer the most obscure, hard questions about his books. They will keep you on your toes,” he said. “I think there’s a sense that you just can’t be a phony. It can’t be a cash grab. People will sense that you’re not a real fan and you’re just trying to cash in, and they won’t support you. I think the King community definitely can sense when you’re faking it.”

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Emily burnham.

Emily Burnham is a Maine native and proud Bangorian, covering business, the arts, restaurants and the culture and history of the Bangor region. More by Emily Burnham

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Stalking Stephen King in Bangor, the world capital of horror

With the big-screen version of ‘the dark tower’ now showing in the uk, mike maceacheran takes a tour of bangor, maine, which has long served as inspiration for the best-selling horror novelist, article bookmarked.

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“That’s where they found the eyeball in the fortune cookie,” says Stu Tinker, turning to point out a suburban Chinese restaurant from the window of his tour van. “Steve used to go with his wife Tabby to the Oriental Jade and it’s the inspiration for the scene in It . But you know he renamed it the Jade of the Orient, right?”

Stu Tinker is undeniably America’s biggest Stephen King fanboy, having owned a book shop for nine years that only sold titles by the horror author, and he’s once again stepped through the looking glass to chew over his favourite scene. It’s 9am on a dreary Saturday and we are sat in his van, the windscreen wipers adding a syncopated Psycho -like stab, while Stu obsesses over the devilish plot lines of It that lurk on the streets he grew up on.

The northern Maine town of Bangor is justifiably famous for its association with King, an author with more than 60 novels and close to 200 short stories, and it’s getting in the mood for two new film adaptations this summer. The first, The Dark Tower , starring Matthew McConaughey and Idris Elba, arrived last week while an updated version of his cult classic It (famous for Pennywise the clown, whose chuckling, rotten voice still scares the bejesus out of plenty of adults) is out next month. “The producers wanted to film the new It here,” says Stu, noticeably irritated. “But they couldn’t get the money together, so they shot in Ottawa instead. Still, Bangor is Derry.”

It takes the best part of a day to see Stephen King’s Bangor, or Derry, the boundary-crossing fictional Maine town King has imagined in novels including It , Dreamcatcher , Pet Sematary , Carrie and The Running Man . Though born in Portland two hours to the south, he has lived here for decades, prompting some locals to argue that a life-sized statue of him should be erected. Others go further, calling King the best president America has never had, particularly following his ongoing social media spat with Donald Trump (a few recent tweets include “Ineptitude, thy name is Trump” and “Donald Trump and Kim Jong Un, currently in a battle to see who is the craziest man on the planet”).

Few cities in America are so indebted to the work of one man and there’s little doubting King’s credentials. Not only does he own three local rock radio stations, including WKIT-FM (the K for King, IT for It ) and WZON (so-named because of The Dead Zone ), but he fronted $1.8m (£1.4m) for the children’s wing at the East Maine Medical Centre (“clowns are banned from the hospital”). The town’s librarians, meanwhile, claim the novelist is responsible for making Bangor the best read town in all of New England. This may be the town that horror built, but it has a caring, studious heart.

As we continue past the Bangor Waterworks, the setting for Graveyard Shift ’s army of dog-sized rats, I suggest it’s the way King looks (serious, inscrutable, a little like Charles Manson, especially when he was at college) that may belie the way he really acts. Stu agrees, recounting a tale when the multimillionaire was asked by a tuxedo-wearing businessman to change his tyre for $20 in a car park. Yet there was no acrimony. “He did it, of course,” says Stu. “But that’s Steve. So down-to-earth it’s creepy.”

As for King himself, it’s often easy for fans to spot him having breakfast at Nicky’s Cruisin’ Diner on Union Street, buying scratch-off lottery tickets at The Corner Store (appearing as The Red Apple in Insomnia ), or walking his dog at Hayford Park (where Thinner , originally released under his Richard Bachman pseudonym, comes to its grisly conclusion).

Not that we’re so lucky. We stop at a number of whisper-quiet King-related sites, including the Thomas Hill Standpipe (inspiration for the haunted water tower in It ), then move to Hampden Academy (where King was once a gonzo English teacher), before stopping at the Mount Hope Cemetery. Here, among the crypts and tombs where much of the film Pet Sematary was shot, is the headstone for one Randall Flagg, King’s alias for his recurring devil-like sorcerer. Superstitions are discussed – I admit to being a little jumpy – before we continue onto the intersection of Jackson and Union where King sets his most famous character’s story in motion. “Look,” cries Stu, hamming it up with a joke shop prop, “a bloody, severed hand coming out of the kerb drain. Pennywise is back!”

This last goofy episode forgiven, the van parks up one last time on West Broadway, long the most prestigious address in the city where Bangor’s lumber lords once lived. Unlike other American celebrities, the exact location of King’s family home is hardly a close secret, and on approach to number 47 it’s pretty clear the house on the hill isn’t the kind that needs to get dressed up for Halloween. Behind a horror show tribute gate, adorned with inky cobwebs, iron spiders, bats and three-headed dragons, sits a blood-red Queen Anne clapboard mansion guarded by stone gargoyles. A silhouette flits past a veiled curtain as we peer through the gates, and for a moment – if only a split second – a shadowy hand waves back at us. “Even Steve thought the house was haunted when he bought it,” adds Stu. “And, you know, it’s not that hard to believe.”

They say to be successful, you have to write about what you know. And for Stephen King that means Bangor, Maine. Because on these streets, horror starts to come alive if you know where to look for it.

Travel essentials

Getting there

Norwegian ( norwegian.com ) flies from London Gatwick, Edinburgh and Belfast to Providence/Boston-TF Green, with fares from £142 one way. Bangor, Maine is a four hour and 45 minute drive north via I-495 N and I-95 N.

More information

Stu Tinker’s SK Tours of Maine run every day at 9am and 2pm (£35; sk-tours.com ).

visitmaine.com

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The Canadian Jewish News The CJN

Touring famous stephen king landmarks in bangor, maine.

By Michael Stavsky

I must make an admission at the outset. I’ve been a fan of Stephen King’s novels ever since reading The Shining at age 12 (and not sleeping for a week afterwards). With this in mind, I fully expected to enjoy the Stephen King (S-K) tour offered in Bangor, Maine. What I didn’t expect, however, was coming away with a deeper understanding of King the person, apart from King the author.

Located approximately two hours drive south of the Canadian border, Bangor (Derry in the books) has been the setting for several supernatural and horrific events in King’s novels. Everything from killer clowns that lure children down storm drains to coffee shops with time travelling doorways can be found there. 

In reality, Bangor is a scenic hamlet of just over 30,000, with another 120,000 people in the surrounding area. Nestled between the hillsides of northern Maine and the Atlantic coast, the city is home to a small but active Jewish community. Its most famous resident, however, is noted horror writer Stephen King, who has lived in the area for most of his life.

The S-K Tour is run by lifelong Bangor resident Stu Tinker (whose name even sounds like a King character). The tour, offered year round, is driven and narrated by Tinker, who by his own admission is a King family friend. Regaled by stories of “Steve and Tabby” (King’s wife Tabitha), tourists are taken to the locales made famous in King’s novels.

Staying downstate in Ogunquit, I initially wasn’t sure the two-hour trek north to Bangor for the tour would be worth the drive. When Tinker told us to meet him at a highway Park ’n Ride, it eerily felt like the beginning of a new King novel in which we were to be the victims.

In reality, however, the four-hour narrated tour is a dream come true for any King fan. Tinker began by taking us to the Mount Hope Cemetery. Situated next to Congregation Beth Israel cemetery, Mount Hope was used for the filming of the movie Pet Sematary.  The creepy 18th and 19th century headstones inspired several King novels.

Adjacent to the cemetery is R.M. Flagg Restaurant Equipment. Did you ever wonder where King’s villain Randall Flagg got his name? King would routinely take his daily several hours long walk around Bangor and pass this store. And no, no one in the store is named Randall.

Any avowed fan of King’s novels would be thrilled to visit the Thomas Hill Standpipe on Jackson Street. Built in 1897, this water tower plays a central role in the King novel IT when the bodies of numerous drowned victims are found in it. For months on end, King would sit on a park bench nearby writing the tale of a murderous demon killing local schoolchildren.

If visiting the storm drain and the Barrens aren’t enough, Tinker takes his visitors to see the Kitchener Ironworks, Canal and 37-foot-tall Paul Bunyan statue from IT. Along the way, you’ll pass Kossuth Street, featured in the novel 11/22/63. 

Late in the afternoon of June 19, 1999, King was hit by a van while walking on the shoulder of a local highway. Tinker, along with the rest of Bangor, rallied around its most famous resident. The driver of the van, Bryan Smith, was a drifter who previously had his licence suspended for unsafe driving. While hovering between life and death, King reportedly told a nurse that he had “been killed by one of his characters,” before slipping into a coma.

Eventually King recovered from his injuries following years of rehabilitation. As if written by King himself, the 43-year-old driver died suddenly in his mobile home on King’s birthday two years later. There were no signs of violence or trauma. 

The highlight of the tour is a visit to King’s home. The nearly 5,000-sq.-foot house, that includes an indoor swimming pool, was built in 1858. The house’s creepy Victorian architecture is matched by the bat and gargoyle fencing the Kings added. Built on one acre of land, the house is visited by thousands of King fans every year. 

The Kings have donated tremendously to their local community since first settling in Bangor in 1980. From rebuilding the city’s Central Library, to funding a state of the art Little League field, “Steve and Tabby” have contributed much of their time and financial resources to Bangor institutions.

Whether or not you’re a fan of his novels, the Stephen King tour makes for a fascinating insight into one of the most prolific horror writers of our time.

Michael Stavsky acknowledges the assistance of the Visit Maine State Tourism Board and the Ogunquit River Inn in arranging his family’s visit.

• Search forums

Stephen King Tours - Bangor, Me

• Thread starter NightShifter
• Start date Nov 19, 2013

This message board permanently closed on June 30th, 2020 at 4PM EDT and is no longer accepting new members.

• General Discussion & Questions

NightShifter

Well-known member.

• Nov 19, 2013

Have any of you checked out the Stephen King Tour in Bangor? It is run by former book store owners in the area. I have not done it, but it seems to be a good excursion, especially for the Stephen King enthusiast. I'm hoping to check it out next summer, but am eager to get some reviews from King fans who have done it. Here's a link to the tour's website.  

nate_watkins

Eternal member.

A group of us got together in Bangor last summer, and had a guided tour of some of the Stephen King related locations. Although I believe it was from a different company. It was pretty fun! You just gotta watch out for this place called Flagg's... sometimes there's a crow luring in one of the trees nearby.  

NightShifter said: Have any of you checked out the Stephen King Tour in Bangor? It is run by former book store owners in the area. I have not done it, but it seems to be a good excursion, especially for the Stephen King enthusiast. I'm hoping to check it out next summer, but am eager to get some reviews from King fans who have done it. Here's a link to the tour's website. Click to expand...

blunthead said: There are two Stephen King tours located in Bangor ME. One is Stephen King, SK Tours Of Maine Home, Stephen King Bangor Maine, Bangor, Maine , and is the one conducted by the former bookstore owner. He has a Facebook page. The Bangor Visitors Bureau ( Greater Bangor CVB ) conducts a tour, also. Click to expand...

• Nov 20, 2013

NightShifter said: Have you done either of these? What did you think? Click to expand...

Prolific member

We did the Tommyknockers tour this summer at Kingkon weekend. I really liked it.  

• Nov 21, 2013

Having visited "Derry" about 8 times, I've done many tours. Back when there were SKEMERCons, we always had a bus, and usually one of the group members would point things out as we travelled along. It also helped that the bus driver and his wife were locals and group members, and they both offered their own commentary. One year, Stu from Betts Books was our tour guide/narrator, and we went to many of the places he now includes in his Stephen King Tours of Maine. Another year, we had the bus, but Brian King (no relation) of the visitors bureau did the narration. This is probably what is known as the Tommyknockers tour (they should change the name.) This past summer, the SKMB KingKon used the visitor's bureau guides on a rented bus. The tour was good, but the bus driver might as well have been from LA, as he was totally unfamiliar with Bangor and was a very tentative driver. If you want a comprehensive, and personal tour of Derry and the area, I would not hesitate to go with Stu's Stephen King Tours of Maine.  

LarryO said: Having visited "Derry" about 8 times, I've done many tours. Back when there were SKEMERCons, we always had a bus, and usually one of the group members would point things out as we travelled along. It also helped that the bus driver and his wife were locals and group members, and they both offered their own commentary. One year, Stu from Betts Books was our tour guide/narrator, and we went to many of the places he now includes in his Stephen King Tours of Maine. Another year, we had the bus, but Brian King (no relation) of the visitors bureau did the narration. This is probably what is known as the Tommyknockers tour (they should change the name.) This past summer, the SKMB KingKon used the visitor's bureau guides on a rented bus. The tour was good, but the bus driver might as well have been from LA, as he was totally unfamiliar with Bangor and was a very tentative driver. If you want a comprehensive, and personal tour of Derry and the area, I would not hesitate to go with Stu's Stephen King Tours of Maine. Click to expand...

king family fan

If I ever go to Bangor. A tour will be a must.  

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