Port Charles, New York (Fictional City)
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Port Charles, New York is the fictional setting of the ABC daytime soap operas General Hospital and its now cancelled spin-off Port Charles.
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[edit] Location
Port Charles is located in Upstate New York, most likely on the shores of Lake Ontario near the city of Rochester.
[edit] History
The city of Port Charles has had somewhat of an eclectic history. Sometime after the city was first settled, an extensive catacomb system was built beneath the city. Also at some point in the city's history, a large ghetto area known as the Asian Quarter was built in order to house the city's Asian population.
The city suffered a hurricane in 1977, but quickly recovered from both that and the Lassa Fever epidemic that followed less than two years later. During this time, mob gangs began to infiltrate the city, most notably that of Frank Smith. Frank Smith was arrested in 1980, thanks to the efforts of Luke Spencer and Laura Webber.
In 1981, Luke and Laura would save the city once again after Mikkos Cassadine attempted to hold the world to ransom by showcasing his powerful weather machine. Mikkos selected Port Charles as a test city, and programmed his machine to drastically drop the temperatures in the city. As a result, the city was hit by a severe blizzard even though it was the middle of summer. Luke and Laura, along with their friend Robert Scorpio were able to stop the madman and Luke figured out the password to turn off the weather machine before all of Port Charles literally froze to death. Luke and Laura were hailed as heroes and their wedding was the social event of 1981. Robert was quickly appointed to be the town's new police comissioner.
In 1983, Luke Spencer capitalized on his popularity and ran for mayor. He won, but soon grew tired of the office and resigned less than two months later.
In 1985, Robert Scorpio and his friends, who included Frisco Jones, Felicia Cummings and Sean Donely helped bust an extortion ring that was operating within the city's Asian Quarter.
In 1985, Robert Scorpio had left town and his ex-wife Anna Devane was appointed as the new police commissioner in Port Charles. Police chief Bert Ramsey was apparently so embittered at being passed over for promotion in favour of Anna that he became a dirty cop and began operating a money laundering scam known as Operation Tumble Dry. Thanks to the efforts of Robert Scorpio (who had returned to town late in 1986)and Anna Devane, this money laundering scam was busted.
In the late 1980s, another mafia family, the Jeromes, began to infiltrate the city. However by 1991, the influence of the Jeromes had somewhat faded due to the efforts of Robert Scorpio and his ex wife, Anna Devane. However, Anna and Robert were later presumed dead in an explosion (Though Anna was later reported to be alive in the city of Pine Valley and Robert Scorpio would make a surprising return to Port Charles in 2006) and the mafia once again made its presence felt in Port Charles. The Smith mob began to regroup during this period and once again terrorised the citizens of Port Charles after Frank Smith escaped from jail. However, Frank Smith was killed late in 1994 and a much more benevolent crime boss in the form of Sonny Corinthos took over organised crime in the city. Sonny was a somewhat atypical mobster and became known for his tough stance against drugs in his mob territory.
In 1996, the town was on the brink of financial disaster when the city's biggest employer, the local hospital went bankrupt. In a seemingly ironic twist, the hospital (and indirectly the town) was saved from considerable financial ruin at the last minute by a considerable financial investment from Stefan Cassadine, the son of Mikkos Cassadine who had tried to freeze the town 15 years earlier. Luke Spencer claimed that Stefan only wished to continue the nefarious deeds carried out by his father and had in fact been behind the hospital's bankruptcy so he could perform a swift takeover in order to establish himself as a pillar of the community, though not many people believed Luke at the time. Stefan Cassadine died in disgrace in 2003.
In the new millennium, Port Charles would be hit by a number of disasters. In 2004, fire completely gutted the Port Charles Hotel, while a hurricane struck the city in the summer of 2005. Several months after the hurricane, a train disaster would strike the city in November 2005. Finally, in a repeat of the 1979 Lassa Fever outbreak, the hospital would be quarantined once again after a mutant strain of encephalitis spread through the town. it is currently unknown what kind of detrimental impacts that these disasters have had on the city.
[edit] Places of interest
[edit] General Hospital
General Hospital (colloquially referred to as the abbreviation GH) is a major hospital located in the city of Port Charles and is one of the town's biggest employers. It is probably the town's most famous landmark.
[edit] Port Charles Park
This park is a popular hangout, though can be dangerous at nighttime. Elizabeth Webber was raped here in 1998.
[edit] The Docks/Waterfront
As its name suggests, Port Charles is a major port. The Waterfront district has been under the control of mobster Sonny Corinthos for some years, though rival gangs have tried to move in on his territory. Kelly's Diner, a local eatery is located in this area and the Elm Street Pier is also located here.
[edit] Kelly's Diner
Originally owned and operated by Rose Kelly, this popular establishment in the waterfront district close to the Elm Street Pier was also run by Ruby Anderson prior to her death in 1999. The diner is now run by Mike Corbin, father of local crime boss Sonny Corinthos. Edward Quartermaine, patriarch of the Quartermaine family also briefly worked here. Owned by the Spencer family and runs a boarding house up stairs popular place to hang out and get some coffe
[edit] Elm Street
Elm Street is a poorer district within Port Charles and is located near the Waterfront. It is notable for being the place where one of the city's most famous and flamboyant residents, Luke Spencer grew up. Also, Alan Quartermaine and Mike Corbin used this district of Port Charles to meet up with prostitutes while fighting addictions. Recently, Maxie Jones was almost raped here buying oxycodone for Lucky Spencer.
Many high level PC citizens meet on the Elm St. Pier daily.
[edit] Asian Quarter
The Asian Quarter is a ghetto district located within Port Charles and is home to a large Asian population. The residents of this part of the city once lived in fear of an extortion ring that dominated the area, but thanks to the efforts of then police commissioner Robert Scorpio, the extortion ring was busted.
[edit] Spoon Island
Cassidine family home. This island is a popular place for family outings. It is also home to a grand old mansion called Wyndemere, where many noteworthy persons have resided, including Ned Ashton, Cesar Faison and most currently the Cassadines. Unfortunately, Wyndemere may not be all that safe; it contains many secret passages and underground tunnels, making it an easy target for intruders - Luke Spencer, in particular. As well as Helena, Nikolas's crazy grandmother, who has recently used the secret passages ways to get to Spencer, the son of Nikolas and and Courtney.
[edit] The Haunted Star
This ship was a wedding gift given to Luke and Laura Spencer. Today, Luke still owns it, and it now serves as a casino. The ship originally belonged to the aristocratic Cassadine family. Luke later took possesion of it after he defeated Mikkos Cassadine and his plot to freeze the world with a weather machine.
[edit] Metro Court Hotel
After the Port Charles Hotel was severely damaged by a terrible fire in 2004, Australian millionare Jasper "Jax" Jacks rebuilt it, and it is now the town's most popular hotel. Carly Corinthos is co-owner of the hotel. The Hotel was named after Courtney Matthews who was engaged and very in love with jax but sadly she died while giving birth to her and Nikolas' son Spencer.
[edit] Former Places of Interest
[edit] The Campus Disco
This popular establishment was run by Luke Spencer from 1979 - 1980. It closed in the early 1980s as Disco went out of style.
[edit] The Floating Rib
This restaurant, located across the street from General Hospital, was another popular establishment in the early 1980s.
[edit] Duke's Club
Run by Duke Lavery and Felicia Jones, this club was a popular hangout for Port Charles Residents in the late 1980s.
[edit] Ward House
Run by Mary Mae Ward, the Ward House was a place where underpriviledged children could go. It was burnt down by Damian Smith in 1996.
[edit] Luke's Club
This jazz club, run by Luke Spencer was a popular place to hangout and socialise during the late 1990s.
[edit] Port Charles Society
[edit] The Nurses Ball
From 1994 - 2001, the Nurses Ball was the social event of the year in the Port Charles calendar and is most notable for being a charity event dedicated to raising funds for various HIV/AIDS organizations. Since a train/bus collision interrupted the 2001 event, the event has been discontinued.
[edit] General Hospital Pediatric Ward Christmas Party
The Pediatric Ward Christmas party is an event usually celebrated at General Hospital on Christmas Eve. Attendance of this event is not limited to current patients of the ward, as many well renowned Port Charles residents have often been known to attend. In addition, the current chief of staff usually reads the Christmas story to the children.
[edit] Notable Residents
[edit] The Cassadines
The Cassadine brothers, Mikkos, Tony and Victor first made their presence in Port Charles felt in 1981, when they caused the infamous blizzard through the use of carbonic snow. Mikkos' younger son Stefan eventually took control of the family and in 1996, he and his nephew Nikolas moved to Port Charles permanently. For a time, Stefan owned General Hospital. Stefan later died in 2003, but Nikolas remains in the city. From time to time, Nikolas' grandmother Helena, the widow of Mikkos shows up to terrorise various residents of the city.
[edit] The Mob: Sonny Corinthos & Jason Morgan
Sonny Corinthos arrived in Port Charles in 1993, and owned and operated a strip club before becoming Port Charles' most powerful mobster in the power struggles that followed Frank Smith's death. Sonny has become known for his relative benevolence compared to other mafia gangs and his donation of several million dollars was instrumental in setting up the Stone Cates Memorial Wing at General Hospital.
Everybody in Port Charles knows who Jason Morgan is. He was born into wealth as Jason Quartermaine, the son of Alan Quartermaine and his mistress Susan Moore, he was later adopted by Monica Quartermaine. He was well liked, smart, and basically one of the only sane things ever to come out of the Quartermaine family. He was medical student, to follow in the foot steps of his parents, but one fateful night changed all of that. One night when he was trying to stop his brother AJ from driving drunk he got in the car with him and they crashed leaving Jason permanently brain damaged with no memory of his life. He broke away from his family, changed his last name to Morgan (in honor of his paternal grandmother Lila Morgan Quartermaine), and started working for mobster Sonny Corinthos. Over time Jason has gotten closer to his family, especially adopted-sister Emily, and while establishing a life for himself. He is still involved in the mob today.
[edit] Steve Hardy
Steve Hardy was the chief of Staff at General Hospital from the mid 1970s until his death in 1996. Perhaps one of Dr Hardy's biggest achievements was finding a cure to the Lassa Fever epidemic of 1979.
[edit] Eddie Maine
Rock star Eddie Maine (real name Edward 'Ned' Ashton) also originated in Port Charles. The grandson of Edward Quartermaine, Ned was working at ELQ industries before being discovered. Ned adopted the stage-name Eddie Maine and enjoyed a successful music career in the 1990s.
[edit] The Quartermaines
One of the most distinguished families in Port Charles is the Quartermaine family, who are moved to the area in 1978 and are best known for running ELQ Industries. The Quartermaines have had a longstanding rivalry with Sonny Corinthos that began when Sonny married Carly Roberts, the former wife of A.J Quartermaine and forced A.J to give up parental rights to his and Carly's son Michael. Alan Quartermaine is the chief of staff at General Hospital, while his wife Monica is a renowned heart surgeon. Rock star Eddie Maine is also a prominent member of this family
[edit] Robert Scorpio
Australian ex-pat Robert was Police Comissioner of Port Charles for many years (1982 - 1985, 1987 - 1992), and solved numerous mysteries and crimes. Robert was presumed dead in 1992, but later returned to town in 2006.
[edit] The Spencers: Luke & Laura Webber Spencer
Laura Webber first gained notoriety in the infamous David Hamilton murder case in 1978. Only sixteen at the time, she had began an affair with the much older David Hamilton only to murder him when she found out he was using her to get back at her mother. Laura escaped a jail sentence due to the extenuating circumstances of the crime, but her reputation as a murderess was notorious throughout the town. Later though, Laura would gain fame in a more positive way when she helped her future husband Luke Spencer defeat the evil schemes of both Frank Smith and Mikkos Cassadine. The two would then marry in a ceremony held on the lawn of the mayor's mansion. Sadly, Luke and Laura would later divorce and Laura suffered a mental breakdown in 2002, leading to her incarceration in a psychiatric facility. Laura was given and experimental drug "LS49" in October 2006. The drug brought her out of her catatonic state, but sadly the drug's effects were only temporary. While Laura was back with her family she and Luke were married again on their 25th anniversary, November 16, 2006.
Luke Spencer is possibly the most famous resident of Port Charles (and also one of its most flamboyant). Luke Spencer first gained notoriety when he, along with his future wife Laura Webber, helped bust the Frank Smith mafia gang in 1980. The following year, Luke was instrumental (again along with his wife Laura and future police commissioner Robert Scorpio) in foiling the plans of Mikkos Cassadine, a madman who had frozen Port Charles in order to showcase his weather machine. Luke and Laura married on the lawn of the mayors mansion in November 1981 in what was possibly the biggest wedding Port Charles has ever seen. Luke later ran for mayor of Port Charles in 1983 and won, but resigned less than two months into his tenure in order so that he and Laura could leave town to travel the world. Luke later returned along with Laura in 1993, and following his divorce from Laura (and her subsequent mental breakdown and psychiatric incarceration) is currently married to Tracy Quartermaine.
[edit] Important People
[edit] City Council
[edit] Mayors
- Luke Spencer (1983 - 1984)
- Lee Baldwin (1984)
- Ken Morgan (1985)
- Garrett Floyd (2006)
[edit] Council Members
- Justus Ward (1994 - 1996)
[edit] Law and Order
[edit] Police Comissioners
- Robert Scorprio (1982 - 1985)
- Anna Devane (1985 - 1987)
- unknown (1987 - 1987)
- Robert Scorpio (1987 - 1992)
- Mac Scorpio (1995 - 1997)
- unknown (1997 - 1998)
- Mac Scorpio (1998 - )
[edit] District Attorneys
- D.A Shultz (1990)
- Scott Baldwin (2002 - 2004)
- Ric Lansing (2004 - 2005)
- John Durant (2005 - 2006)
- Alexis Davis (2006 - 2006)
- Ric Lansing (2006 - )
[edit] General Hospital
[edit] Chief Of Staff
- Steve Hardy (1976 - 1996)
- Alan Quartermaine (1996 - 1998)
- Monica Quartermaine (1998 - 1999)
- Alan Quartermaine (1999 - )
[edit] Assistant Chief of Staff
- Monica Quartermaine (1988 - 1988)
- Alan Quartermaine (1988 - 1990)
- (Tom Hardy (1990)
[edit] Chief of Internal Medicine
- Steve Hardy (1963 - 1976)
[edit] Head of Student Nurses
- Audrey Hardy (1976 - )
[edit] Disasters
In the past twenty years, Port Charles has been hit by disaster on frequent occasions (often as a result of General Hospital's writers trying to increase ratings).
- In September 1977, a hurricane hit the city, with several fatalities and damage done to several buildings.
- In 1979, further disaster struck the city, when it was hit by an epidemic of Lassa Fever. General Hospital was quarantined for several weeks until a cure was found.
- In August 1981 the town experienced a blizzard in the midst of summer. The cause of this blizzard was determined to be Mikkos Cassadine's weather machine.
- In 1987, a DVX hitman holds several GH staff hostage in the Hospital Cafeteria, threatening to unleash the MOX-36 virus.
- In 1988, a bomb explodes in the main exhibition tent of the Port Charles Art Festival.
- In 1990, a blackout hit the city when Cesar Faison joined together the alien crystals from the planet Lumina.
- In February 1991, the Quartermaine S.S Tracy sank in the middle of Port Charles Harbor, unleashing toxic chemicals and causing an environmental disaster.
- In 1991, the town experienced an earthquake, which destroyed many homes and caused a lot of damage.
- In June 2001, a bus collided head on with a train near the city, interrupting the Nurses Ball, the social event of the year in Port Charles.
- In February 2004, the Port Charles Hotel burnt down. The hotel was completely destroyed, but later rebuilt by Australian millionaire Jasper 'Jax' Jacks, who renamed it The Metrocourt after the now deceased Courtney Matthews who he was in love with.
- In 2005 Another hurricane struck the city of Port Charles, but fatalities and damage was light compared to the 1977 hurricane.
- In November 2005, two trains collided in the Glencoe tunnel which is located near the city.
- In February 2006, a deadly mutant strain of encephalitis had the hospital quarantained for a month and there were several fatalities.
[edit] Real life trivia
- Prior to 1977, General Hospital was set in an unnamed city or town somewhere in the United States of America. In 1977, the show's setting was finally established as being in the fictional city of Port Charles.
- In 1993, the producers of "General Hospital" filmed several exterior locations in and around the Rochester area - including Letchworth State Park, and the village of Perry, New York.
- While the fictional city of Port Charles is currently based on Rochester, Rochester does still exist as a separate location (in much the same way that New York City exists as a separate location from both Gotham City and Metropolis in the DC Universe despite the fact that both cities are obviously based on New York and have adopted some of New York's landmarks as their own).
- In 1996, the characters of Laura Spencer and Stefan Cassadine travelled to a house in Rochester to find Laura's long presumed dead mother Lesley Webber. The episodes in which this occurred suggested that Port Charles was within a few miles of Rochester, though no actual distance was given.
[edit] Further reading
Tropiano, Stephen (2000). TV Towns. New York, NY: TV Books L.L.C.. ISBN 1-57500-127-6.
|General Hospital Top Ten Catastrophes
[edit] See also
- Llanview, Pennsylvania - One Life to Live
- Pine Valley, Pennsylvania - All My Children
- Corinth, Pennsylvania - Loving
