Port Charles, New YorkNew York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
is the fictional setting of the
ABC DaytimeABC Daytime is a programming block on the ABC Network which has historically encompassed soap operas, game shows and talk shows.-Schedule:...
soap operasA soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
General HospitalGeneral Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
and its
spin-offsIn media, a spin-off is a radio program, television program, video game, or any narrative work, derived from one or more already existing works, that focuses, in particular, in more detail on one aspect of that original work...
Port CharlesPort Charles was a daytime soap opera which aired on ABC from June 2, 1997 to October 3, 2003. It is a spin-off of the serial General Hospital, which has been running since 1963 and takes place in the fictional city of Port Charles, New York...
and
General Hospital: Night ShiftGeneral Hospital: Night Shift is an American prime time serial that first aired on SOAPnet for a 13-episode run from July 12, 2007 to October 4, 2007. A spin-off of the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital, the show is SOAPnet's first original scripted drama series and follows the nighttime...
. It was later retroactively revealed as the setting of
The Young MarriedsThe Young Marrieds was an American daytime soap opera which aired on ABC from October 5, 1964, to March 25, 1966.The program was created by James Elward and written by Elward with Frances Rickett. Authors John Pascal and Francine Pascal also wrote for the series. It was produced in Hollywood by...
, a short-lived series which ran between 1964 and 1966. Locations within the town are described, below, using in-universe tone.
Geography
Port Charles is portrayed as a fictional midsize city approximately the size of
BuffaloBuffalo is the second most populous city in the state of New York, after New York City. Located in Western New York on the eastern shores of Lake Erie and at the head of the Niagara River across from Fort Erie, Ontario, Buffalo is the seat of Erie County and the principal city of the...
, located in
Western New YorkWestern New York is the westernmost region of the state of New York. It includes the cities of Buffalo, Rochester, Niagara Falls, the surrounding suburbs, as well as the outlying rural areas of the Great Lakes lowlands, the Genesee Valley, and the Southern Tier. Some historians, scholars and others...
somewhere on the shores of
Lake OntarioLake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
between the Buffalo–Niagara Falls and
SyracuseSyracuse is a city in and the county seat of Onondaga County, New York, United States, the largest U.S. city with the name "Syracuse", and the fifth most populous city in the state. At the 2010 census, the city population was 145,170, and its metropolitan area had a population of 742,603...
areas. In 1993, the producers of
General Hospital filmed several exterior locations in and around the Western New York area, including
Letchworth State ParkLetchworth State Park is a New York state park located 35 miles southwest of Rochester and 60 miles southeast of Buffalo in Livingston and Wyoming counties. The park is roughly 17 miles long, covering of land along the Genesee River...
and the village of
PerryPerry is a village located mostly inside the Town of Perry in Wyoming County, New York, USA. The population was 3,945 at the 2000 census.The Village of Perry is at the junction of New York State Route 39 and New York State Route 246. A small south section of the village is within the Town of...
. The skyline of downtown
RochesterRochester is a city in Monroe County, New York, south of Lake Ontario in the United States. Known as The World's Image Centre, it was also once known as The Flour City, and more recently as The Flower City...
stands in for aerial shots of Port Charles.
Within the fictional universe of
General Hospital, the city of Port Charles coexists closely with the real cities of Buffalo,
Niagara FallsNiagara Falls is a city in Niagara County, New York, United States. As of the 2010 census, the city had a total population of 50,193, down from the 55,593 recorded in the 2000 census. It is across the Niagara River from Niagara Falls, Ontario , both named after the famed Niagara Falls which they...
, and Rochester. Events in the series in which characters travel to nearby cities indicate that Port Charles is located relatively close to all of these locations. Port Charles is depicted as a separate
metropolitan areaThe term metropolitan area refers to a region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories, sharing industry, infrastructure, and housing. A metropolitan area usually encompasses multiple jurisdictions and municipalities: neighborhoods, townships,...
; its description and location relative to Buffalo and Syracuse suggest a thinly disguised version of Rochester itself. Separate from but proximate to both Rochester and Buffalo, and located on a body of water (as "Port" would indicate), the most likely location for Port Charles would be on Lake Ontario north of Batavia. The city's
ZIP codeZIP codes are a system of postal codes used by the United States Postal Service since 1963. The term ZIP, an acronym for Zone Improvement Plan, is properly written in capital letters and was chosen to suggest that the mail travels more efficiently, and therefore more quickly, when senders use the...
is 16543.
History
When the series first began,
General Hospital was set in an unnamed city or town somewhere in the United States of America. Between 1964 and 1966, Queen's Point, the setting of the short-lived soap opera,
The Young MarriedsThe Young Marrieds was an American daytime soap opera which aired on ABC from October 5, 1964, to March 25, 1966.The program was created by James Elward and written by Elward with Frances Rickett. Authors John Pascal and Francine Pascal also wrote for the series. It was produced in Hollywood by...
, was considered to be a suburb of that same unnamed city, part of a plan to feature regular crossovers between the two shows which never materialized due to the cancellation of
Marrieds. It was not until 1977 that the
General Hospital setting was finally established as the fictional city of Port Charles, New York.
The early history of Port Charles is not extensively covered onscreen. Character dialogue indicates that the city once had an extensive
millingA grinding mill is a unit operation designed to break a solid material into smaller pieces. There are many different types of grinding mills and many types of materials processed in them. Historically mills were powered by hand , working animal , wind or water...
industry, for which
catacombsCatacombs, human-made subterranean passageways for religious practice. Any chamber used as a burial place can be described as a catacomb, although the word is most commonly associated with the Roman empire...
were built to divert water. The catacombs have played a role in numerous storylines; in a 1985 plot, they were extended under the city's Asian Quarter.
During the
Prohibition eraProhibition in the United States was a national ban on the sale, manufacture, and transportation of alcohol, in place from 1920 to 1933. The ban was mandated by the Eighteenth Amendment to the Constitution, and the Volstead Act set down the rules for enforcing the ban, as well as defining which...
, Port Charles was known to have some ties to the
MafiaThe American Mafia , is an Italian-American criminal society. Much like the Sicilian Mafia, the American Mafia has no formal name and is a secret criminal society. Its members usually refer to it as Cosa Nostra or by its English translation "our thing"...
, which, as recounted in a 2002 episode of
General Hospital, operated at least one
speakeasyA speakeasy, also called a blind pig or blind tiger, is an establishment that illegally sells alcoholic beverages. Such establishments came into prominence in the United States during the period known as Prohibition...
in the city.
A storyline broadcast in 1985 revealed that, at some time in Port Charles' history, a large
ghettoA ghetto is a section of a city predominantly occupied by a group who live there, especially because of social, economic, or legal issues.The term was originally used in Venice to describe the area where Jews were compelled to live. The term now refers to an overcrowded urban area often associated...
area known as the Asian Quarter was built to house the city's Asian population. Racial discrimination in the city has been a point of tension many times; minority residents were reportedly denied housing and bank loans in the mid-20th century, and one of Port Charles' first African-American council members, the character Bradley Ward II, faced racist opposition from his white counterparts in the 1970s (he was later murdered). More recently, plots have dealt with issues such as the planned construction of a polluting incinerator near the city's ethnic neighborhoods.
Recent history
In more recent times (the broadcast years of Port Charles' associated shows generally correspond to the same years within the plot), the city, befitting its role as an epicenter of
soap operaA soap opera, sometimes called "soap" for short, is an ongoing, episodic work of dramatic fiction presented in serial format on radio or as television programming. The name soap opera stems from the original dramatic serials broadcast on radio that had soap manufacturers, such as Procter & Gamble,...
drama, has been beset with disaster both natural and man-made. Hurricanes struck in 1977 and 2005,
epidemicsIn epidemiology, an epidemic , occurs when new cases of a certain disease, in a given human population, and during a given period, substantially exceed what is expected based on recent experience...
in 1979 (
Lassa feverLassa fever is an acute viral hemorrhagic fever caused by the Lassa virus and first described in 1969 in the town of Lassa, in Borno State, Nigeria, in the Yedseram river valley at the south end of Lake Chad. Clinical cases of the disease had been known for over a decade but had not been connected...
) and 2006 (
encephalitisEncephalitis is an acute inflammation of the brain. Encephalitis with meningitis is known as meningoencephalitis. Symptoms include headache, fever, confusion, drowsiness, and fatigue...
), an
earthquakeAn earthquake is the result of a sudden release of energy in the Earth's crust that creates seismic waves. The seismicity, seismism or seismic activity of an area refers to the frequency, type and size of earthquakes experienced over a period of time...
in 1991, horrific vehicle crashes in 2001, 2005, 2009 and 2010, and a hotel
fireA conflagration or a blaze is an uncontrolled burning that threatens human life, health, or property. A conflagration can be accidentally begun, naturally caused , or intentionally created . Arson can be accomplished for the purpose of sabotage or diversion, and also can be the consequence of...
in 2004. A 1991 plotline saw the residents of Port Charles wrestle with an environmental catastrophe caused when a ship laden with toxic materials (and owned by a prominent local family) sank in the city harbor.
Organized crimeOrganized crime or criminal organizations are transnational, national, or local groupings of highly centralized enterprises run by criminals for the purpose of engaging in illegal activity, most commonly for monetary profit. Some criminal organizations, such as terrorist organizations, are...
has been a persistent presence in the plots of Port Charles since 1979; both the gangsters' infighting and their waxing and waning threat to the citizenry have proven fruitful sources for story conflict. Individual criminal acts are also very common in Port Charles:
extortionExtortion is a criminal offence which occurs when a person unlawfully obtains either money, property or services from a person, entity, or institution, through coercion. Refraining from doing harm is sometimes euphemistically called protection. Extortion is commonly practiced by organized crime...
rings, police corruption,
money launderingMoney laundering is the process of disguising illegal sources of money so that it looks like it came from legal sources. The methods by which money may be laundered are varied and can range in sophistication. Many regulatory and governmental authorities quote estimates each year for the amount...
,
kidnappingIn criminal law, kidnapping is the taking away or transportation of a person against that person's will, usually to hold the person in false imprisonment, a confinement without legal authority...
, financial
fraudIn criminal law, a fraud is an intentional deception made for personal gain or to damage another individual; the related adjective is fraudulent. The specific legal definition varies by legal jurisdiction. Fraud is a crime, and also a civil law violation...
(involving the
bankruptcyBankruptcy is a legal status of an insolvent person or an organisation, that is, one that cannot repay the debts owed to creditors. In most jurisdictions bankruptcy is imposed by a court order, often initiated by the debtor....
of the titular General Hospital) and
murderMurder is the unlawful killing, with malice aforethought, of another human being, and generally this state of mind distinguishes murder from other forms of unlawful homicide...
have all played many significant parts in the city's ongoing saga. Port Charles has been host to at least one
serial killerA serial killer, as typically defined, is an individual who has murdered three or more people over a period of more than a month, with down time between the murders, and whose motivation for killing is usually based on psychological gratification...
("Franco"), as well as four hostage crises (1983, 1987, 2007, 2001) and three bombings (1988, 2008, 2008). In two of the Port Charles world's rare departures into
science fictionScience fiction is a genre of fiction dealing with imaginary but more or less plausible content such as future settings, futuristic science and technology, space travel, aliens, and paranormal abilities...
, megalomaniac Mikkos Cassadine threatened the city with a weather–altering snowstorm machine (1981), and the villainous Cesar Faison caused a blackout by manipulating alien crystals from the planet Lumina (1990).
Areas and geographical features
Asian Quarter
The Asian Quarter is a ghetto district, historically home to a large Asian population. It has been a frequent target of organized crime operations.
The Point
The Point is a high vantage point in the woods of Port Charles. It has been the site of romantic outings, a place for quiet introspection, and the scene of several accidents involving cars falling (or nearly falling) into the lake below. Also referred to as Lookout Point and Vista Point, it is located on the same road as Shadybrook Sanitarium, and meets Harbor View Road and Old Bluff Road at a three-way intersection. It may correspond to Rochester's real-life Pinnacle Hill (a high point at the southern end of that city) or Cobbs Hill.
Port Charles Park
The Port Charles Park is a popular hangout spot, though very dangerous at times; characters have fallen victim to assaults, rapes, kidnappings, and murders here.
Queen's Point
Queen's Point was the setting of
The Young MarriedsThe Young Marrieds was an American daytime soap opera which aired on ABC from October 5, 1964, to March 25, 1966.The program was created by James Elward and written by Elward with Frances Rickett. Authors John Pascal and Francine Pascal also wrote for the series. It was produced in Hollywood by...
, retroactively revealed to be a suburb of Port Charles.
Patrick Drake and Robin ScorpioDr. Patrick Drake and Dr. Robin Scorpio Drake are fictional characters and a supercouple from the ABC daytime drama General Hospital and its SOAPnet spin-off General Hospital:Night Shift. The couple is commonly referred to by the nickname "Scrubs", rather than by a portmanteau like other supercouples...
currently make their home there, as do
Elizabeth WebberElizabeth Spencer may refer to:*Lady Elizabeth Spencer , wife of Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke*Elizabeth Spencer, Baroness Hunsdon*Elizabeth Spencer , American novelist...
and her sons.
Spoon Island
Spoon Island is the location of Wyndemere Castle, the clifftop Cassadine family home. The castle contains many
secret passagesSecret passages, also commonly referred to as hidden passages or secret tunnels, are hidden routes used for stealthy travel. Such passageways are sometimes inside buildings leading to secret rooms. Others allow occupants to enter or exit buildings without being seen...
and underground tunnels, making it an easy target for intruders. The mansion and surrounding island have been the location of the murders of Katherine Bell, Summer Holloway, and Emily Quartermaine. Though the Cassadines own the castle,
Jasper JacksJasper "Jax" Jacks is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera General Hospital. He has been played by actor Ingo Rademacher from January 1996 to August 2000, and from August 2001 to July 2011. In January 2008, the role was temporarily filled by Gideon Emery...
was able to buy significant portions of the island out from under them.
The Waterfront
As its name suggests, Port Charles is a major
portA port is a location on a coast or shore containing one or more harbors where ships can dock and transfer people or cargo to or from land....
; its waterfront area is a favorite meeting place for city residents and is the transportation link to Spoon Island. The
waterfrontA wharf or quay is a structure on the shore of a harbor where ships may dock to load and unload cargo or passengers.Such a structure includes one or more berths , and may also include piers, warehouses, or other facilities necessary for handling the ships.A wharf commonly comprises a fixed...
district has been under the control of
Sonny CorinthosMichael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera General Hospital. Maurice Benard has played the role, that of a manic depressive Mob boss living in Port Charles, since the character's storyline originated on August 13, 1993...
for over a decade, though rival gangs have tried to move in on his territory. Ownership and transfer of Waterfront property, such as the money-laundering front Fisherman Village, has been featured several times in show storylines. The Elm Street Pier (
Luke Spencer'sLucas "Luke" Lorenzo Spencer, Sr. is a fictional character in the American television soap opera General Hospital, and has been played by Anthony Geary since 1978.-Early years :...
childhood home) and Kelly's Diner, a local eatery, are located here, and
Bobbie SpencerBarbara Jean "Bobbie" Spencer is a fictional character and popular long running character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She made her first appearance in 1978 and is the mother of popular character Carly Corinthos Jacks...
owns a restored
brownstoneBrownstone is a brown Triassic or Jurassic sandstone which was once a popular building material. The term is also used in the United States to refer to a terraced house clad in this material.-Types:-Apostle Island brownstone:...
on the Waterfront where several characters have lived.
Businesses
ELQ Industries
ELQ (
Edward Louis QuartermaineEdward Louis Quartermaine is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. The character was created in 1978, originally played by David Lewis. When ill health forced Lewis to step down from the role in 1989, the character was killed off in a plane crash. Lewis' voice was still...
Industries) is a
multinational conglomerateA multi national corporation or enterprise , is a corporation or an enterprise that manages production or delivers services in more than one country. It can also be referred to as an international corporation...
headquartered in Port Charles. Formerly owned by the wealthy
Quartermaine familyThe Quartermaine family is a very wealthy and prestigious fictional family on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. The Quartermaines have been a staple on General Hospital since their introduction in the late 1970s....
, it is one of the largest businesses in the region.
The Haunted Star
This ship was a wedding gift to
Luke SpencerLucas "Luke" Lorenzo Spencer, Sr. is a fictional character in the American television soap opera General Hospital, and has been played by Anthony Geary since 1978.-Early years :...
and
Laura SpencerLaura Spencer is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Laura was portrayed by Stacy Baldwin from 1974 to 1976, and since then has been played by Genie Francis, first from 1976–1982, and then from 1992–2002...
, which Luke now lives in and runs as a floating
casinoIn modern English, a casino is a facility which houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are most commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships or other tourist attractions...
.
Metro Court Hotel
The Metro Court Hotel was built by businessman Jasper Jacks on 1420 Courts Lane, the former site of the destroyed Port Charles Hotel. The Hotel was named after
Courtney MatthewsCourtney Matthews was a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She was the daughter of Mike Corbin and Janine Matthews, and the half sister of mobster, Sonny Corinthos. Courtney was portrayed by Alicia Leigh Willis from December 20, 2001 until February 21, 2006...
, who was engaged to Jacks at the time. The Metro Court is home to many businesses and people, including Crimson, the fashion magazine co-owned by
Kate HowardKatherine "Kate" Hardwicke Howard is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. The character was introduced to the show in May 2007, and was portrayed by Megan Ward since the character's introduction. Ward last appeared on-screen on October 20, 2010...
and Jacks. It was the site of a hostage crisis perpetrated by
Jerry JacksJerard Aloysius "Jerry" Jacks was a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. He was portrayed by Julian Stone from April 10, 1998 to December 14, 1999. In January 2007 the role was resumed by Sebastian Roché with the in-universe explanation that character James Craig ...
. The hotel is currently owned by
Jasper JacksJasper "Jax" Jacks is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera General Hospital. He has been played by actor Ingo Rademacher from January 1996 to August 2000, and from August 2001 to July 2011. In January 2008, the role was temporarily filled by Gideon Emery...
and his wife Carly Corinthos Jacks.
Wyndham's Department Store
Wyndham's is the local department store, most notable as the location of an impromptu romantic rendezvous between
Luke SpencerLucas "Luke" Lorenzo Spencer, Sr. is a fictional character in the American television soap opera General Hospital, and has been played by Anthony Geary since 1978.-Early years :...
and
Laura BaldwinLaura Spencer is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Laura was portrayed by Stacy Baldwin from 1974 to 1976, and since then has been played by Genie Francis, first from 1976–1982, and then from 1992–2002...
in 1980.
Other businesses
- Croydon Hotel
- Deception Cosmetics
- Donely Shipping
- The Equinox Corporation
- Jacks Cosmetics
- L&B Records
- Port Charles Hotel (destroyed by fire in 2004; location now occupied by Metro Court Hotel)
Education
- Madison Preparatory
- Port Charles High School
- Port Charles University (PCU)
- Queen of Angels
- Winston School
Government agencies
Port Charles Courthouse
The Port Charles
CourthouseA courthouse is a building that is home to a local court of law and often the regional county government as well, although this is not the case in some larger cities. The term is common in North America. In most other English speaking countries, buildings which house courts of law are simply...
is located in the heart of downtown, close to the police department. In addition to its courtrooms, it and the offices of former
district attorneysIn many jurisdictions in the United States, a District Attorney is an elected or appointed government official who represents the government in the prosecution of criminal offenses. The district attorney is the highest officeholder in the jurisdiction's legal department and supervises a staff of...
Alexis DavisAlexis Davis is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Nancy Lee Grahn originated the role in April 1996. She is the daughter of Mikkos Cassadine and Kristin Bergman. She is also the mother of Sam McCall, Kristina Davis and Molly Lansing...
,
Scott BaldwinScott Baldwin is a fictional character from the ABC soap operas, General Hospital and its now-defunct spinoff Port Charles. He is often remembered as the "odd man out" in GH's well-known love story of Luke and Laura Spencer. The character debuted on GH as a child in the 1960s...
, and
Ric LansingRichard "Ric" Lansing was a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. The character was played by soap opera veteran Rick Hearst from 2002 to 2009.- Casting and background :...
.
Port Charles Police Department
The local police department has long been an ineffectual tool against the growing mafia presence in Port Charles. Headed by commissioner
Mac ScorpioMalcolm "Mac" Scorpio is a popular long running fictional character on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital. The role was originated by John J. York in February 1991 and is still currently portrayed by him. He is the ex-husband of Felicia Cumming Scorpio-Jones and the adoptive father of...
, it also employs
Lucky SpencerLucas Lorenzo "Lucky" Spencer, Jr. is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. He is the son of legendary super couple Luke Spencer and Laura Webber.-Casting:...
, Cruz Rodriguez,
Dante FalconeriDante Angelo Falconeri is a fictional character on the popular daytime soap opera General Hospital. Dante is the son of the popular character Sonny Corinthos and his old flame Olivia Falconeri. He has been portrayed by contract player Dominic Zamprogna since June 22, 2009.-Character description...
and Ronnie Dimestico.
Medical facilities
General Hospital
The famous General Hospital is a major city employer and the workplace of many resident characters, including
Monica QuartermaineDr. Monica Quartermaine is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She is a member of the wealthy Quartermaine family. Her various affairs and quarrels with her husband Dr...
, Patrick Drake,
Robin ScorpioDr. Robin Scorpio-Drake is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera General Hospital and its prime time SOAPnet spin-off General Hospital: Night Shift, originated and portrayed by Kimberly McCullough since 1985. The character came to mainstream attention when she was diagnosed as HIV-positive...
,
Elizabeth WebberElizabeth Spencer may refer to:*Lady Elizabeth Spencer , wife of Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke*Elizabeth Spencer, Baroness Hunsdon*Elizabeth Spencer , American novelist...
, and many others past and present. Privately funded projects include the Dominique Baldwin Pediatric
AIDSAcquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
wing, the
Stone CatesMichael "Stone" Cates is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Michael Sutton portrayed him from 1993 to 1995 and returned for a guest appearance from September 28 through September 29, 2010. The character died of AIDS-related illness in 1995...
Memorial AIDS wing, and the
Michael Corinthos IIIMichael Morgan Corinthos III is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. The character is the son of Carly Corinthos Jacks and A.J. Quartermaine , and was adopted as a child by his mother's former husband Sonny Corinthos...
Pediatric Head Trauma Wing.
Exterior shots of the hospital are images of the
Los Angeles County-USC Medical CenterLos Angeles County+USC Medical Center, also known as County/USC, by the abbreviation LAC+USC, or by the name Los Angeles County General, is a 600-bed public teaching hospital located in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California...
, located just miles from the show's
Los AngelesLos Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
studio.
Shadybrook Sanitarium
Shadybrook is a
psychiatric facilityPsychiatric hospitals, also known as mental hospitals, are hospitals specializing in the treatment of serious mental disorders. Psychiatric hospitals vary widely in their size and grading. Some hospitals may specialise only in short-term or outpatient therapy for low-risk patients...
located just outside of Port Charles. Lainey Winters has an office in the building, and it was home to
Laura SpencerLaura Spencer is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Laura was portrayed by Stacy Baldwin from 1974 to 1976, and since then has been played by Genie Francis, first from 1976–1982, and then from 1992–2002...
after her 2002 breakdown. Shadybrook is on the same road as Lookout Point.
Other medical facilities
- Emily Bowen Quartermaine Clinic
- Ferncliff Asylum
- Mercy Hospital
- Port Charles Women's Clinic
- Roselawn Sanitarium
Residences
Greystone Manor
Greystone Manor is a large estate at 124 Harbor View Road, owned and inhabited by
Sonny CorinthosMichael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera General Hospital. Maurice Benard has played the role, that of a manic depressive Mob boss living in Port Charles, since the character's storyline originated on August 13, 1993...
. Not visible from the road, it is guarded by Sonny's men. Since 2007,
Kate HowardKatherine "Kate" Hardwicke Howard is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. The character was introduced to the show in May 2007, and was portrayed by Megan Ward since the character's introduction. Ward last appeared on-screen on October 20, 2010...
has lived next door.
Harborview Towers
Harborview, at 122 Harbor View Drive, is a high-end apartment complex in downtown Port Charles that has been home to Jason Morgan
penthouseA penthouse apartment or penthouse is an apartment that is on one of the highest floors of an apartment building. Penthouses are typically differentiated from other apartments by luxury features.-History:...
,
Damian SpinelliDamien Millhouse "Spinelli" Spinelli, a.k.a. "The Jackal", is a fictional character on the ABC daytime drama, General Hospital, played by actor Bradford Anderson since November 13, 2006...
,
Carly JacksCaroline Leigh "Carly" Corinthos Jacks is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. Originated by Sarah Brown on April 8, 1996, the role of Carly has been portrayed by Laura Wright since 2005...
, Samantha McCall, and mob boss
Sonny CorinthosMichael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera General Hospital. Maurice Benard has played the role, that of a manic depressive Mob boss living in Port Charles, since the character's storyline originated on August 13, 1993...
. The Towers are located directly across from the Metro Court Hotel (former Port Charles Hotel).
Quartermaine Mansion
The home of the wealthy Quartermaine family, located at 66 Harbor View Road and currently owned by
Monica QuartermaineDr. Monica Quartermaine is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She is a member of the wealthy Quartermaine family. Her various affairs and quarrels with her husband Dr...
. The mansion also features a
boathouseA boathouse is a building especially designed for the storage of boats, normally smaller craft for sports or leisure use. These are typically located on open water, such as on a river. Often the boats stored are rowing boats...
and guesthouse.
The Ward House
Founded by
Mary Mae WardMary Mae Ward was a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital from 1994–1995...
, this
orphanageAn orphanage is a residential institution devoted to the care of orphans – children whose parents are deceased or otherwise unable or unwilling to care for them...
was destroyed by Damian Smith in a plot to take over the land for an incinerator.
Restaurants and bars
Campus Disco
Luke SpencerLucas "Luke" Lorenzo Spencer, Sr. is a fictional character in the American television soap opera General Hospital, and has been played by Anthony Geary since 1978.-Early years :...
ran the Campus Disco from 1979–80; it is notorious as the place where he
rapedRape is a type of sexual assault usually involving sexual intercourse, which is initiated by one or more persons against another person without that person's consent. The act may be carried out by physical force, coercion, abuse of authority or with a person who is incapable of valid consent. The...
his future wife
LauraLaura Spencer is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Laura was portrayed by Stacy Baldwin from 1974 to 1976, and since then has been played by Genie Francis, first from 1976–1982, and then from 1992–2002...
.
Jake's
Jake's is a popular bar owned and operated by Coleman, though it was originally operated by a woman named Jake (played by
Stella StevensStella Stevens Stella Stevens Stella Stevens (born October 1, 1938 is an American film, television and stage actress, who began her acting career in 1959 and starred in such popular films as The Nutty Professor, The Courtship of Eddie's Father, The Silencers, The Ballad of Cable Hogue and The...
). Carly Corinthos Jacks first met her best friend Jason Morgan here, and the bar is the preferred night time hangout for both hospital staff and local criminals.
Kelly's Diner
This waterfront diner and boarding house was originally owned and operated by Rose Kelly, whose late husband Paddy had been killed by the Mob. Many residents have worked and lived here over the years. The Diner is presently owned by Mike Corbin.
The No Name/Pozzulo's
The No Name is an Italian restaurant located on the west end of Port Charles. It was first frequented by members of the mafia in the 1990s. After the former owner died in 2009,
Sonny CorinthosMichael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera General Hospital. Maurice Benard has played the role, that of a manic depressive Mob boss living in Port Charles, since the character's storyline originated on August 13, 1993...
purchased the building and opened an office there.
Paradise Lounge
Sonny CorinthosMichael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera General Hospital. Maurice Benard has played the role, that of a manic depressive Mob boss living in Port Charles, since the character's storyline originated on August 13, 1993...
' first business in Port Charles, the Paradise Lounge strip club was closed after some of its dancers were found to be underage.
Vaughn's
This is a local
strip clubA strip club is an adult entertainment venue in which striptease or other erotic or exotic dance is regularly performed. Strip clubs typically adopt a nightclub or bar style, but can also adopt a theatre or cabaret-style....
in downtown Port Charles. Abby Haver formerly worked there as an
exotic dancerThe terms exotic dancer and exotic dance can have different meanings in different parts of the world and depending on context. In the erotic sense, "exotic dance" is a often used to refer to practitioners of striptease...
, and
Johnny ZaccharaJohn "Johnny" Anthony Zacchara is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital and the contract role has been portrayed Brandon Barash since 18 September 2007. Within the series, he is known as the son of mobster Anthony Zacchara.-Arrival:...
is a principal silent partner in the club.
Other bars and restaurants
- Bamboo Bar
- Barney's Place
- The Cellar
- Club 101
- Delafield's
- Duke's Club
- The Floating Rib
- Luke's Club
- Luke's Place
- The Oasis
- The Outback
- The Recovery Room
- Tea House
The Nurses' Ball
From 1994 to 2001, the Nurses' Ball at the Port Charles Hotel was the social event of the year in the Port Charles calendar. It was most notable for being a charity event dedicated to raising funds for various
HIVHuman immunodeficiency virus is a lentivirus that causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome , a condition in humans in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life-threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive...
/
AIDSAcquired immune deficiency syndrome or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome is a disease of the human immune system caused by the human immunodeficiency virus...
organizations, both on the show and in reality. From 1997 until the last ball in 2001, the Ball served as a major
crossoverA fictional crossover is the placement of two or more otherwise discrete fictional characters, settings, or universes into the context of a single story. They can arise from legal agreements between the relevant copyright holders, or because of unauthorized efforts by fans, or even amid common...
where characters from both
Port CharlesPort Charles was a daytime soap opera which aired on ABC from June 2, 1997 to October 3, 2003. It is a spin-off of the serial General Hospital, which has been running since 1963 and takes place in the fictional city of Port Charles, New York...
and
General HospitalGeneral Hospital is an American daytime television drama that is credited by the Guinness Book of World Records as the longest-running American soap opera currently in production and the third longest running drama in television in American history after Guiding Light and As the World Turns....
interacted. A train/bus collision interrupted the last Ball in 2001. No onscreen reasons were given for the event's discontinuation, but rising expenses and budget cuts for both shows, along with the revamp of
Port Charles in 2001, were the reasons why the producers of both
General Hospital and
Port Charles decided to end the annual Ball.
General Hospital Pediatric Ward Christmas party
For many years, the Pediatric Ward
ChristmasChristmas or Christmas Day is an annual holiday generally celebrated on December 25 by billions of people around the world. It is a Christian feast that commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ, liturgically closing the Advent season and initiating the season of Christmastide, which lasts twelve days...
party has been the focus of
General Hospital episodes airing just before Christmas. It is traditional for the current chief of staff to read the Christmas story to the ward's young patients during the party. The chief is also accompanied by the General Hospital volunteers dressed up as
Santa ClausSanta Claus is a folklore figure in various cultures who distributes gifts to children, normally on Christmas Eve. Each name is a variation of Saint Nicholas, but refers to Santa Claus...
,
Mrs. ClausMrs. Claus is the wife of Santa Claus, the Christmas gift-bringer in North American Christmas tradition.While Santa Claus himself emerged from the 1820s from a number of traditions of European folklore, Mrs...
, and
elvesA Christmas elf is a diminutive creature that lives with Santa Claus in the North Pole and acts as his helper. Christmas elves are often depicted as green or red clad with pointy ears, long noses, and pointy hats. Santa's elves are often to make the toys in Santa's workshop and take care of...
. Children of
General Hospital cast members are often featured as the sick children on the ward.
Notable families
- The Hardys
Dr. Steve Hardy is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. John Beradino originated the role of Steve Hardy on April 1, 1963 and portrayed him until his death in 1996.- History :...
and WebbersDr. Jeffrey "Jeff" Webber was a fictional character on the popular ABC daytime drama General Hospital. Eventually, he was revealed to be the biological son of the series' patriarch, Dr. Steve Hardy. He was portrayed by Richard Dean Anderson from 1976 until 1981.-Character history:Dr...
- The Cassadines
- The Corinthoses
The Corinthos family is a fictional family on the soap opera, General Hospital.-First generation:* Mike Corbin* Adela Corinthos* Trevor Lansing* Janine Matthews-Second generation:* Michael "Sonny" Corinthos Jr...
- The Quartermaines
The Quartermaine family is a very wealthy and prestigious fictional family on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. The Quartermaines have been a staple on General Hospital since their introduction in the late 1970s....
- The Scorpios and Joneses
The Scorpio's and Jones's are fictional families on the American soap opera General Hospital. Overtime the two families have intertwined and become one large family that is oftentimes referred to as the Scorpio/Jones family. The super couples Frisco and Felicia Jones and Robert and Anna Scorpio are...
- The Spencers
Estates
- Quartermaine Mansion (66 Harbor View Road) - Residence of Monica Quartermaine
Dr. Monica Quartermaine is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She is a member of the wealthy Quartermaine family. Her various affairs and quarrels with her husband Dr...
, Edward QuartermaineEdward Louis Quartermaine is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. The character was created in 1978, originally played by David Lewis. When ill health forced Lewis to step down from the role in 1989, the character was killed off in a plane crash. Lewis' voice was still...
, Tracy QuartermaineTracy Angelica Quartermaine Spencer is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital...
, and Alice Gunderson.
- Greystone (120 Shoreline Road) - Residence of Sonny Corinthos
Michael "Sonny" Corinthos, Jr. is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera General Hospital. Maurice Benard has played the role, that of a manic depressive Mob boss living in Port Charles, since the character's storyline originated on August 13, 1993...
, Max Giambetti, and Milo Giambetti.
- Howard Estate (124 Harbor View Road) - Residence of Kate Howard
Katherine "Kate" Hardwicke Howard is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. The character was introduced to the show in May 2007, and was portrayed by Megan Ward since the character's introduction. Ward last appeared on-screen on October 20, 2010...
.
- Jacks Estate (657 Harbor View Road) - Residence of Carly Jacks and Josslyn Jacks
Houses
- Davis Home (57 Lake Road) - Residence of Alexis Davis
Alexis Davis is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. Nancy Lee Grahn originated the role in April 1996. She is the daughter of Mikkos Cassadine and Kristin Bergman. She is also the mother of Sam McCall, Kristina Davis and Molly Lansing...
and Molly Lansing.
- Scorpio-Drake Home (Queen's Point suburb) - Residence of Robin Scorpio Drake
Dr. Robin Scorpio-Drake is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera General Hospital and its prime time SOAPnet spin-off General Hospital: Night Shift, originated and portrayed by Kimberly McCullough since 1985. The character came to mainstream attention when she was diagnosed as HIV-positive...
, Patrick Drake and Emma Drake.
- The Brownstone (1224 Elm Street) - Residence of Bobbie Spencer
Barbara Jean "Bobbie" Spencer is a fictional character and popular long running character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She made her first appearance in 1978 and is the mother of popular character Carly Corinthos Jacks...
.
- Hardy House (453 Maple Avenue) - Residence of Audrey Hardy.
- Webber Home (458 Lexington Road; Queen's Point suburb) - Elizabeth Webber
Elizabeth Spencer may refer to:*Lady Elizabeth Spencer , wife of Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke*Elizabeth Spencer, Baroness Hunsdon*Elizabeth Spencer , American novelist...
, Cameron Spencer, and Aiden Spencer.
Other residences
- Metro Court Hotel (1420 Courts Lane)
- Spencer-Jones Apt. (114 Clover Avenue), Apartment #68 - Residence of Maxie Jones
Mariah Maximilliana "Maxie" Jones is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital currently portrayed by Kirsten Storms. She is the oldest daughter of supercouple Frisco and Felicia Jones. In 2009, Storms was nominated for a Daytime Emmy for her role of Maxie Jones...
and Lulu SpencerLesley Lu "Lulu" Spencer is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital. She is the daughter of supercouple Luke and Laura Spencer. She has notably been portrayed by Julie Marie Berman, who debuted in the role in November 2005...
.
- Harborview Towers (122 Harbor View Drive), Penthouse #2 - Residence of Damian Spinelli
Damien Millhouse "Spinelli" Spinelli, a.k.a. "The Jackal", is a fictional character on the ABC daytime drama, General Hospital, played by actor Bradford Anderson since November 13, 2006...
, Sam McCall Morgan, and Jason Morgan.
- Zacchara Apt. - Residence of Johnny Zacchara
John "Johnny" Anthony Zacchara is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital and the contract role has been portrayed Brandon Barash since 18 September 2007. Within the series, he is known as the son of mobster Anthony Zacchara.-Arrival:...
and Anthony Zacchara.
- Sam's Loft, Apt. #346 - Residence of Sam McCall Morgan.
- Dante's Loft, Apt. #4B - Residence of Dante Falconeri
Dante Angelo Falconeri is a fictional character on the popular daytime soap opera General Hospital. Dante is the son of the popular character Sonny Corinthos and his old flame Olivia Falconeri. He has been portrayed by contract player Dominic Zamprogna since June 22, 2009.-Character description...
.
- Oliva's Loft, Apt. #3 - Residence of Olivia Falconeri
Olivia Falconeri is a fictional character on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital. She has been portrayed by Lisa Lo Cicero since September 19, 2008...
.
- Lucky's Apt. (27 S. Patton, Apt 2B) - Residence of Lucky Spencer
Lucas Lorenzo "Lucky" Spencer, Jr. is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. He is the son of legendary super couple Luke Spencer and Laura Webber.-Casting:...
.
- Abby's Apt. (827 Emerson, Apartment 3-C) - Abby Haver and Michael Corinthos.
- Haunted Star Yacht - Residence of Ethan Lovett
Ethan Lovett is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera General Hospital, portrayed by Nathan Parsons since January 30, 2009...
.
Government
Mayor
- Garrett Floyd
Port Charles Police department
- Mac Scorpio
Malcolm "Mac" Scorpio is a popular long running fictional character on the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital. The role was originated by John J. York in February 1991 and is still currently portrayed by him. He is the ex-husband of Felicia Cumming Scorpio-Jones and the adoptive father of...
, Commissioner
- Ronnie Dimestico, Lieutenant
- Dante Falconeri
Dante Angelo Falconeri is a fictional character on the popular daytime soap opera General Hospital. Dante is the son of the popular character Sonny Corinthos and his old flame Olivia Falconeri. He has been portrayed by contract player Dominic Zamprogna since June 22, 2009.-Character description...
, Detective
- Lucky Spencer
Lucas Lorenzo "Lucky" Spencer, Jr. is a fictional character on the ABC soap opera, General Hospital. He is the son of legendary super couple Luke Spencer and Laura Webber.-Casting:...
, Detective
- Delores Padilla, Detective
Current staff of General Hospital
Chief of Staff
- Robin Scorpio
Dr. Robin Scorpio-Drake is a fictional character from the ABC soap opera General Hospital and its prime time SOAPnet spin-off General Hospital: Night Shift, originated and portrayed by Kimberly McCullough since 1985. The character came to mainstream attention when she was diagnosed as HIV-positive...
, Neuropathologist; Consultant (medicine)In the United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, and parts of the Commonwealth, consultant is the title of a senior doctor who has completed all of his or her specialist training and been placed on the specialist register in their chosen specialty...
; ResearchResearch can be defined as the scientific search for knowledge, or as any systematic investigation, to establish novel facts, solve new or existing problems, prove new ideas, or develop new theories, usually using a scientific method...
Doctors
- Steven Lars Webber, Pediatrician, Head of ER trauma unit
- Patrick Drake, Neurosurgeon
- Matt Hunter
Matt Hunter is an Canadian professional mountain biker. Matt Hunter's professional career began when he won the 2003 "Ultimate Freeride Challenge"....
, Neurosurgeon
- Kelly Lee, Obstetrician
- Monica Quartermaine
Dr. Monica Quartermaine is a fictional character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She is a member of the wealthy Quartermaine family. Her various affairs and quarrels with her husband Dr...
, Cardiologist
- Lainey Winters, Psychiatrist
- Maggie Wurth, Pediatrician
Nurses
- Epiphany Johnson, Head Nurse
- Elizabeth Webber
Elizabeth Spencer may refer to:*Lady Elizabeth Spencer , wife of Henry Herbert, 10th Earl of Pembroke*Elizabeth Spencer, Baroness Hunsdon*Elizabeth Spencer , American novelist...
, Surgical Nurse (nurse's desk)
- Bobbie Spencer
Barbara Jean "Bobbie" Spencer is a fictional character and popular long running character on the popular ABC soap opera, General Hospital. She made her first appearance in 1978 and is the mother of popular character Carly Corinthos Jacks...
, Supervisor of Nursing
- Audrey Hardy, Head of Student Nursing
Related fictional locations
- Greenfield — an outlying county in Port Charles.
- Pine Barrens — a heavily forested township outside Port Charles. Claudia Zacchara
Claudia Antonia Corinthos is a fictional character from the ABC daytime soap opera General Hospital. The daughter of New York City mob boss Anthony Zacchara, Claudia was portrayed by Sarah Brown beginning January 31, 2008. She left the role of Claudia on November 6, 2009 to join the cast of The...
is killed and buried there.
- Pine Valley, Pennsylvania
Pine Valley, Pennsylvania is the fictional setting for the long-running American soap opera All My Children. It is a small suburb of Philadelphia...
— setting of All My ChildrenAll My Children is an American television soap opera that aired on ABC from January 5, 1970 to September 23, 2011. Created by Agnes Nixon, All My Children is set in Pine Valley, Pennsylvania, a fictitious suburb of Philadelphia. The show features Susan Lucci as Erica Kane, one of daytime's most...
; home of Skye ChandlerSkye Chandler Quartermaine is a fictional ABC soap opera character. Skye has been a regular character on ABC's three longest-running soap operas: All My Children , One Life to Live , and General Hospital...
, Ryan LaveryRyan Aloysius Lavery is a fictional character from the American daytime drama All My Children, as portrayed by Cameron Mathison from January 12, 1998 to 2002 and from 2003 to 2011. The character is set to come back in January 2012 when the series returns online...
, and Aidan DevaneAidan Devane is a resident of the fictional town of Pine Valley from the ABC soap opera All My Children. He has been portrayed by Aiden Turner, from June 6, 2002 to December 21, 2009...
.
- Llanview, Pennsylvania
Llanview, Pennsylvania is the fictional setting for the long-running American soap opera One Life to Live. The city exists in the same fictional universe as cities from other existing or defunct ABC daytime dramas, including Pine Valley from All My Children, Port Charles from General Hospital, and...
— setting of One Life to LiveOne Life to Live is an American soap opera which debuted on July 15, 1968 and has been broadcast on the ABC television network. Created by Agnes Nixon, the series was the first daytime drama to primarily feature racially and socioeconomically diverse characters and consistently emphasize social...
; occasionally visited or mentioned by characters from Port Charles.
External links