Encyclopedia
| Port Charles, New York (fictional city)
Encyclopedia
|
| Tutorials | Encyclopedia | Dictionary | Directory |
|
 
Port Charles, New York (fictional city)
Port Charles, New York as seen in the General Hospital: Night Shift opening. Notable in the skyline are General Hospital and the Metro Court Hotel. LocationPort Charles is a fictional small to midsized city located in Upstate New York, most likely on the shores of Lake Ontario near the city of Rochester. In 1993, the producers of "General Hospital" filmed several exterior locations in and around the Rochester, New York area - including Letchworth State Park, and the village of Perry, New York. Aerial photos of Port Charles occasionally shown on the air are actually shots of the skyline of downtown Rochester. 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). Port Charles' location in relation to Rochester was further clarified during several episodes aired in 1996 when 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. HistoryWhen 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, Queens Point, the setting of the short-lived soap opera, The Young Marrieds, was considered to be a suburb of the same (then still unnamed) city that General Hospital was set in (this was part of a plan to feature regular crossovers between the two shows which never materialized due to the cancellation of The Young Marrieds). It wasn't until 1977 that the General Hospital's setting was finally established as being in the fictional city of Port Charles, New York. Onscreen, Port Charles has had somewhat of an eclectic history. A 1993 storyline saw Lucky Spencer hiding out in catacombs while hiding from Frank Smith. As a result it was revealed that after the city was first settled, an extensive catacomb system was built beneath the city. The catacombs were again referenced in 1997 when Sonny Corinthos and Brenda Barrett were trapped there. In 2003, an episode of General Hospital depicted the recollections of an elderly woman (played by Gloria Stewart), whose mobster husband ran a speakeasy during the prohibition era, thus establishing that the mob has long had ties to the city. Racial discrimination has unfortunately played a part in the history of Port Charles. A 1985 storyline revealed that 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, while a 1994 storyline revealed that one of the city's first African-American council members, Bradley Ward II faced opposition from his white counterparts in the 1970s and was later murdered. This storyline also made references to people being refused housing and bank loans on account of race. Port Charles suffered a hurricane in 1977, but quickly recovered from both that and the Lassa Fever epidemic that followed less than two years later, thus beginning a long tradition of disasters that have plagued the city right up to the modern day. During this time, Mob storylines began being incorporated into the show. In 1979, residents became concerned that Port Charles was being taken over by organized crime. Mob leader Frank Smith was arrested in 1980, thanks to the efforts of Luke and Laura Spencer. In 1981, Luke and Laura saved the city from being frozen over by Mikkos Cassadine's weather machine. Luke and Laura were hailed as heroes and their wedding was the social event of the year. Robert Scorpio was quickly appointed as police commissioner. Luke ran and won for mayor, but resigned less then two months later after growing tired of the office. In 1985, Robert, along with Frisco Jones, Felicia Cummings, Sean Donely helped bust an extortion ring that was operating within the city's Asian Quarter. Soon afterwards, Robert left town, and his ex-wife Anna Devane was appointed as the new police commissioner in his place. In a storyline twist, the seemingly honest Police chief Bert Ramsey was apparently so embittered at being passed over for promotion in favor 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 Anna and a newly returned Robert, the money laundering scam was busted. Soon, another crime family, the Jeromes, began to infiltrate the city of Port Charles but by the early 1990's, the influence of the Jeromes had somewhat faded due to the efforts of Robert and Anna. In 1992, Anna and Robert were presumed dead in an explosion. Luke and Laura returned to town, and the Smith Mob began to regroup and once again terrorized the citizens of Port Charles. However, Frank Smith was killed and a much more benevolent crime boss in the form of Sonny Corinthos took over organized crime in the city. Environmental issues also became a concern as some of the residents of Port Charles formed the Greenbelts organization and protested against the arrival of the S.S Tracy, a ship carrying toxic materials that later sank in the Port Charles Harbor, nearly causing an environmental catastrophe. In 1994, Justus Ward and Laura Spencer led protests against a planned incinerator and was successful in stopping the project despite threats to Laura's life and that of her family. In 1996, the Cassadine family returned to Port Charles as the main nemesis of the Spencers for a second time. Soon, Port Charles was on the brink of financial disaster when the city's biggest employer, the local hospital, went bankrupt. The hospital (and indirectly the town) was saved from considerable financial ruin at the last minute by a considerable financial investment from Stefan Cassadine, son of Mikkos. Luke 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 died in disgrace years later. In the 21st century, Port Charles would be hit by a number of disasters, including the Port Charles Hotel completely gutted by fire, another hurricane hitting the city, a two-way train wreck, a hospital quarantine after a mutant strain of encephalitis spread through the town, Metro Court Hotel being taken hostage, and Anthony Zacchara terrorizing residents at Nikolas Cassadine's Black and White Ball. ElementsGeneral Hospital
An exterior view of GH, as shown on General Hospital: Night Shift, 2007. Sonny Corinthos built the Stone Cates Memorial AIDS Wing in honor of his friend Stone Cates, who died of HIV. The residents of Port Charles frequent the hospital's West Wing. (Characters on Port Charles were patients in the East Wing.) The CourthouseThe Port Charles City/County Courthouse is located in the heart of downtown, apparently very close to the PCPD. It consists of courtrooms and offices, which house officials such as Alexis Davis and Scott Baldwin, the District Attorney and Special Prosecutor. Jason Morgan and Amelia Joffe came under fire outside of the building in 2007, and it has been the sight of many life changing court battles. Crimson MagazineCrimson is a fashion magazine ran by Kate Howard, and the biggest investor is Jasper Jacks. Her offices are at the Metro Court Hotel, which happens to be across the street from Johnny Zacchara's penthouse. Kate hired Maxie Jones as her first assistant, and Lulu Spencer her second assistant. In 2008, Maxie was almost raped here by Logan Hayes, but he saw Lulu watching from Johnny's penthouse (which is formerly the home of Jasper Jax). Lulu then accidentally killed him, which has put her in Shadybrooke. As of recent, Jax has threatened to find someonoe else to run the magazine if Kate doesn't stop trying to ruin Carly. When Kate was shot on September 26, Maxie temporarily took over for her as the top dog at the magazine. The Docks/Waterfront/PierAs its name suggests, Port Charles is a major port. The Waterfront district has been under the control of Sonny Corinthos for over a decade, though rival gangs have tried to move in on his territory, such as Lorenzo Alcazar, the Ruiz brothers, and others. Kelly's Diner, a local eatery, is located in this area and the Elm Street Pier is also located here. Majority of the Port Charles waterfront is owned by the Pride-Philips Company, which was given to Courtney Matthews as a thank you from a woman whose life she saved. Courtney later sold Pride-Philips to Lorenzo Alcazar. On March 17 2008, one of the warehouses on the docks, an abandoned cannery, exploded. Sonny met with Claudia Zacchara to return Johnny to her. She arrived, and got on the phone with an ally to try and peace with them and Sonny. Meanwhile, Trevor Lansing and sniper stood on a loft in the warehouse, poised to shoot Claudia. Ric Lansing and Marianna Erosa were in another part of it, trying to cover the dead body of Randy. Carly finally finds Michael, where he confesses to shooting Kate. They began to leave and go home. Meanwhile, a bomb is slowly ticking away. Right as the sniper pulls his trigger, the bomb goes of, and an explosion rips through the building. Everyone survies the event, but Carly miscarries her baby. The docks are currently the site of a fake drug ring headed up by Jerry Jacks. The ring produces placebos that have claimed at least one life; a female heart patient. Matt Hunter is a prime suspect, but the extent of his involvement is not yet known. Andrei Karpov currently has a cargo ship, the Odyssey, docked in the harbor. Elm Street Pier
Maxie (Kirsten Storms), Georgie (Lindze Letherman), and Dillon (Scott Clifton) on the Elm Street Pier, July 2005. The B&N department store is located somewhere in this area. This is also where launch for Spoon Island is located. Many high level Port Charles citizens meet on the Elm St. Pier daily. ELQ IndustriesElQ Industries, or Edward Louis Quartermaine Industries is a multinational conglomerate headquartered on Port Charles. Owned by the wealthy Quartermaine's, it is the one of the largest businesses in the region. Since 1978, Edward Quartermaine has been the sole owner, but other employees have included Emily Quartermaine, Lorenzo Alcazar, Carly Corinthos, Tracy Quartermaine, Alan Quartermaine, Monica Quartermaine, Justus Ward, Jasper Jacks, Laura Spencer, and Luke Spencer. Current shareholders include Edward Quartermaine, Monica Quartermaine, Tracy Quartermaine, Jasper Jacks, and Carly Jacks, who owns 30%. It is a rival company with nearby Chandler Enterprises and Buchanan Enterprises.
Emily Bowen Quartermaine ClinicAfter Emily Quartermaine's death, fiancee Nikolas Cassadine carried on Emily's passion for helping the needy by opening a free clinic in her name. He had it established in it in the warehouse district in a formerly condemned building. Early on, it encountered issues when Mayor Floyd tried to have it shut down. Then came Matt Hunter. With him he brought a counterfeit drug scandal. He bought fake meds from Logan Hayes' employer, switched them with the real ones, and re-sold the true drugs. Nadine is now trying to get him to confess. On September 15 2008, Jerry Jacks set fire to the place in order to cover the illegal drugs. Matt, Nikolas, and Nadine were all trapped, but escaped safely. Employees include owner Nikolas Cassadine, Nadine Crowell, Leyla Mir, and Matt Hunter. It is on Venice Street, in the warehouse district. On September 15, Jerry Jacks detonated a set of explosives that went off, causing a raging fire. Nadine and Matt were hospitalized, and Nikolas received minor injuries. It is currently being rebuilt. Greystone MansionThis is the large estate of Sonny Corinthos, and bodygaurds Max and Milo. Not visible from the road, it is guarded by Sonny's men. It has a large terrace, beautiful gardens, and a statley guest house. The large garage stores a Maserati Quattroporte. In 2005, a mobster shot up the mansion's living room with a machine gun while Carly, Sam, Ric and Sonny met inside. In 2007, Kate Howard built her house right next door to Sonny's home. Angry about Kate flying her helicopter over his home, Sonny had Jason Morgan shoot a wire that was attached to her helicopter. It suspended a statue over Kate's house, and was headed to drop it in her garden. After he shot, the statue fell through all three floors of the house, destroying the roof, floors, and walls. Former residents include Carly Jacks, Emily Quartermaine, Sam McCall, Morgan Corinthos,and Michael Corinthos. The address is 120 Shoreline Road, and Kate Howard's is 124 Shoreline Road. The Haunted Star
Harborview TowersThis is an upperend apartment complex in downtown Port Charles. It has a view of the lake, and can clearly be seen in the Port Charles skyline. It includes Jason Morgan's penthouse with Damian Spinelli, and the previous residence of retired mob boss, Sonny Corinthos. Damian Spinelli's room is "regrettably pink." He stays in the room that Brenda Barrett lived in while she and Jason were in a marriage of convenience. Jason leaves it pink. Reese Marshall (when dating Sonny) took residence in Sonny's old penthouse. When Reese Marshall was living there, Carly Corinthos broke in and vandalized the entire apartment due to a mental breakdown. Samantha McCall was attacked there by Nico, where Carly helped fight him off. In 2007, Ric Lansing bugged Jason's apartment in order to obtain a guilty plea in the murder or Lorenzo Alcazar. In 2006, a would-be assassin shot a bullet through the window of Jason's apartment. He leaves the bullet hole in the glass to remind him of the choices he's made. The address is 122 Harbor View Drive. Jake'sJake's is a popular bar owned and operated by Coleman. Jason Morgan and Carly Corinthos also first met here over a game of pool. Robin Scorpio, Emily Quartermaine, Elizabeth Webber, Kelly Lee, and Lainey Winters chose Jake's as the destination for their Girls' Night Out, where they each shared their fantasies about co-worker, Patrick Drake. A Boys' Night Out also took place soon after, with Max Giambetti, Ric Lansing, Patrick Drake, Lucky Spencer, and Nikolas Cassadine, where they each shared fantasies about Carly Corinthos. While unconscious after the cannery explosion, Carly hallucinated that she was there playing pool with Jason, the same way that they first met. It is here where rivals Claudia Zacchara and Olivia Falconeri first met. Kelly's DinerWaterfront diner and boarding house originally owned and operated by Rose Kelly, whose late husband Paddy, had been killed by the Mob. Almost everyone in town has been to Kelly?s at least once over the years. The diner itself has been a popular gathering place of many of Port Charles? citizens. Many newcomers to the city have found their way to Kelly?s, where they have rented the rooms above. Edward Quartermaine worked here briefly. Ruby Anderson stepped in as owner when Rose decided to leave town to work with her stepson Joe in 1984, offering homespun advice?and the best damned chowder and chili in New York State. She was a staple of the diner until her death in 1999. The establishment was left to Luke and Bobbie Spencer, formerly managed by Tammy Hansen. In February 2004, Bobbie asked Mike Corbin to run the diner. Being a family-owned business, Lucky Spencer, Nikolas Cassadine, Emily Quartermaine, and Elizabeth Webber occasionally had private ?Kelly?s-closed dinners? which consisted of traditional potluck dinners. Characters on the now canceled Port Charles also frequented Kelly's from time to time. Residents have included Holly Sutton, Jimmy Lee Holt, Celia Quartermaine, Felicia Jones, Edward and Lila Quartermaine, Colton Shore, Charlie Prince, Lily Rivera, Brenda Barrett, Miguel Morez, Juan Santiago, Courtney Matthews, Emily Quartermaine, Keesha Ward, Ric Lansing, Lucky Spencer, Diego Alcazar, Brian Beck, Heather Webber, Javier Ruiz, Elizabeth Webber, Lucky Spencer, Maxie Jones, Dillon Quartermaine, Georgie Jones, Coop Barrett, and Tammy Hansen. On November 13, Sasha Donev sent a gang of Russian goons to attack Kelly's. They beat and tried to murder Mike, and torched the diner. Lookout Point/Vista PointThe Point, as it's often referred to, is a high vantage point that sits steeply in the woods of Port Charles. It's been the spot of many outings and events in the past. This is where Maxie Jones and Damian Spinelli often go to think. In May of 2002, an upset and foggy minded Carly Corinthos drove her car off of one the steep cliffs, causing it plunged into the lake. In early 2003, Carly pushed Courtney Matthews' car off of the same cliff in order to cover up her involvement in Elizabeth Webber's hit-and-run. In August 2007, Logan Hayes took Lulu Spencer on a picnic date here. In winter 2007, Lorenzo Alcazar kidnapped Lulu, and ordered her exchange to take place at The Point. Hangman's Bridge is located in this general area. In February 2008, Diego Alcazar had planned to hang Elizabeth Webber and Sam McCall off the bridge as a final stand in his role as the Text Message Killer. Right as they arrived, Elizabeth attacked Diego, causing the car to swerve off the bridge and hang there, swaying back and forth. All three lived, but Diego was soon after killed. Lookout Point is located on the same road as Shadybrook Sanitarium. Metro Court HotelThe Metro Court Hotel was built by billionaire Jasper Jacks on the site where the Port Charles Hotel once occupied until it was destroyed in a February 2004 fire caused by Edward Quartermaine and is now the town's most popular hotel. The Hotel was named after Courtney Matthews, who was engaged to Jax at the time. The Metro Court is home to many businesses and people, including Crimson, Kate Howard's fashion company and magazine with Jasper Jacks. 
The Metro Court hostage crisis, 2007. Its lobby was recently the site of an explosion where it sustained extensive damage during the final minutes of a twelve hour hostage crisis. Employees and residents were held in the lobby by Jerry Jacks, (then known as James Craig) who was after the contents of a briefcase locked in the hotel vault. This siege lasted. Robin Scorpio was shot in her stomach within the first hour. She was operated on by Emily Quartermaine and Carly Corinthos. Max Giambetti was shot in the shoulder. Father Mateo Ruiz was shot for killing one of the mercenaries. The crisis culminated when explosives were detonated in the lobby as the police stormed in. In the aftermath, the Hotel continued to be a major set, as the search for survivors continued, and a gun battle as Jason Morgan pursued Craig through the rubble. It was rebuilt quickly, with more security. In July 2008, Logan Hayes attacked Maxie Jones in Kate Howard's office, pushing her to the floor. As he went to kill her, he caught Lulu Spencer looking through the window of her office from Johnny's balcony across the street. He ran up to the penthouse, and broke down the door with a fire axe. He tried to talk Lulu into getting back together, and when she refused, Logan tried to rape her. She grabbed a butcher knife from the kitchenette and plunged it onto his stomach. Logan died, and Johnny took the fall for her. Claudia and Johnny dumped his body at Nikolas' clinic. Residents include Jerry Jacks, Diane Miller, Andre Karpov, and Sasha Donev. The hotel boasts a spa, solarium, restaurant, ballroom, and penthouse suites. It has several sister hotels, including one named the Belle Mason. It also has sister hotels in Paris, other parts of Europe and one in Montreal, including one in Hawaii. It is a rival hotel to the Cosmopolitan. The address (when the Port Charles Hotel stood there) was 1420 Courts Lane. Port Charles Park
Elizabeth, (Rebecca Herbst, Cameron (Braden Walkes), and Lulu (Julie Marie Berman) at the Port Charles park, 2007. The PCPDOne of the best known establishments in Port Charles in the Port Charles Police Department. It has handled several crimes in the city, but not always well. It has several officers that are informants to the mob, most notabely the late Logan Hayes and Cooper Barrett. Current employees include commissioner Mac Scorpio, and officers Lucky Spencer, Cruz Rodriguez, and Detective Harper. Scott Baldwin has an office here. In July 2008, it was the sight of a hostage situation. Lulu Spencer smuggled in a gun of Edward Quartermaine's to Johnny Zacchara. He took the fall for Lulu's killing of Logan Hayes. He took the gun, and pretended to take hostage. They ran outside, and took Mayor Floyd's car. They dumped it in the warehouse district, and fled to New York City. They were eventually caught back in Port Charles, and Johnny was taken back into custody. Pentonville PenitentiaryThis is considered the "state" jail where convicted felons go. The real Pentonville Prison has had few references, the most recent being the summer of 2007. Jason Morgan was on trial for the murder of Lorenzo Alcazar. Former inmates have included Diego Alcazar, for the drugging and rape of women in Port Charles, and Nikolas Cassadine, for the murder of Helena Cassadine, his insane grandmother. She turned up alive, and Nikolas was released. Scott Baldwin is currently petitioning the judge to have Johnny Zacchara sent there for Logan Hayes' murder. Quartermaine MansionThe home of the wealthy Quartermaine family, it features living quarters for several members of the extended family, as well as staff such as Alice the maid. Some scenes have taken place in the Quartermaine boathouse, and there is also a garage with luxury vehicles such as a custom vintage Bentley. Sage Alcazar froze to death in the kitchen's freezer in 2004, and Tracy Quartermaine was tied up in the pantry by Alice in 2005. The address is 66 Harborview Road.[1] Shadybrooke SanitariumShadybrooke is a psychiatric facility located in a small country area in Port Charles. It has been home to many patients, including Carly Corinthos, Tracy Quartermaine, Laura Spencer, and Lulu Spencer. Lainey Winters has an office in the building, and it has become the permanent home to Laura Spencer after her 2002 breakdown, followed by a slip into catatonia. In 2005, Carly stood on the building's ledge, threatening to jump after hearing Sonny Corinthos tell Jason Morgan that her life is over. She came down, and eventually recovered from the breakdown. Laura and Lulu's were both caused by haunting murders: Lulu stabbed Logan Hayes, and Laura thought that she killed Rick Webber after hitting him with a candlestick. Lulu was recently released. Shadybrook is on the same road as Lookout Point. Sonny's Coffee Shop
Lulu (Julie Marie Berman) and Logan (Josh Duhon) at Sonny's coffeehouse, 2007. Wyndemere Castle/Spoon Island
Wyndemere Castle as seen from the outside, 2007. Former elementsAsian QuarterThe 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. Barney's PlaceA downtown bar where in 1976, Jeff Webber attempted to commit suicide after finding out his wife, Monica Bard, had been having an affair with his brother, Rick. The Campus DiscoThis popular establishment was run by Luke Spencer from 1979 - 1980. It closed in 1981 as Disco music went out of style. This is also where Luke Spencer raped his future wife Laura Webber Baldwin. The CellarLocated at 324 Wharf Street, Port Charles, NY? Carly Corinthos, proprietor. Opened 14 February 2003. Rekindled night club created from the remnants of ?The Flynn?s Club?, a speakeasy that originally opened New Years Eve 1926. Flynn?s was owned by Catherine Flynn, the grandmother of Faith Rosco. On New Years Eve 2002, Carly and Ric Lansing discovered the speakeasy bricked off in the basement of Kelly?s Diner when they were scouting for a location for her club. The original owner, Catherine Flynn, who had been living in an apartment across the street, told Carly and Ric the club?s history when she observed them breaking through the brick wall. Employees have included Courtney Matthews as hostess. In November 2003, Faith Rosco claimed ownership of the club stating that though Kelly?s Diner and The Cellar occupied the same building, they always had split deeds and while Luke and Bobbie Spencer owned Kelly?s, The Cellar was rightfully Faith?s property by way of inheritance from Catherine. In May 2004, Carly regained control of the club when Justus Ward discovered that Faith?s claim on the property was invalid. In April 2007, Sonny and Jason begin to consider using The Cellar as a place to hide their shipments, as The Cellar was vacant at the time. Sonny and Jason were soon ambushed by Lorenzo Alcazar's hired thugs. Club 101Elegant night club opened in 2002 by Carly Corinthos with Jasper ?Jax? Jacks. The club was converted from an old abandoned warehouse on the ?bad side of town? under Carly?s supervision. Jax forced Carly out of the partnership due to what Carly because he believed she was embezzling funds, though she believed it was because of her relationship with Sonny Corinthos. He then brought Skye Chandler Quartermaine in as a partner. Employees have included Courtney Matthews. Delafield'sClub owned and operated by classical pianist Katherine Delafield. Katherine regularly performed as well as did Frisco Jones. This same club had belonged to Duke Lavery and was purchased after his death in 1990. Duke's ClubRun by Duke Lavery and Felicia Jones, this club was a popular hangout for Port Charles residents in the late 1980s. Frisco Jones and Terri O'Connor regularly performed. After Duke's death, the club was purchased in 1990 by classical pianist Katherine Delafield and reopened under the name Delafield's. The Floating RibThis restaurant, located across the street from General Hospital, was another popular establishment in the early 1980s. Closed during the late 1980?s. On February 23, 2006, Holly Sutton (not knowing that the restaurant was long out of business) demanded that Luke Spencer and Robert Scorpio meet her outside the restaurant with two million dollars for each vial of antidote for the mutant encephalitis virus that had gripped the city that month. A popular massage parlor is now located on this site. Flynn's ClubA speakeasy that opened on New Years Eve 1926 beneath what is now Kelly?s Diner. The club was owned by Catherine Flynn, wife of mobster Marco Flynn. It was only open for a few hours because at 12:01 A.M. on opening night, a close friend and associate was killed in the club in a mob hit. Marco retaliated that night, but was arrested. He spent the rest of his life in prison. Catherine never had the heart to reopen, and had it boarded up. The club was discovered in 2002 when Carly Corinthos was looking for a location to open a club of her own. She refurbished this speakeasy and reopened it as ?The Cellar?. Luke's ClubThis blues club, run by Luke Spencer and Lucy Coe was a popular place to hangout and socialise during the late 1990s. Lily Corinthos was blown up in a car bomb outside the premises in 1996. Luke's PlacePort Charles' first casino opened by Luke Spencer and D. L. Brock in 1983. This is notable because according to the city charter, only one casino was allowed to operate. After closing the casino when he was elected mayor later that year, he retained the casino rights. Port Charles did not have another casino until he converted his recently reacquired Haunted Star into a casino on December 26, 2003. The No NameLocal Mobster Sonny Corinthos took his then-wife Carly Corinthos Jacks there. The OasisStrip club owned by Coleman where Courtney Matthews secretly worked under the name ?Daisy? to pay for damages caused by her then husband, A.J. Quartermaine. A.J. destroyed the club in an arson fire after he found out about Courtney?s job August 28, 2002. The OutbackPopular club once owned and operated by Mac Scorpio. Opened in 1991, Connor Olivera managed the club and worked as a singer. In 1992, Bill Eckert became co-owner. Felicia Jones later bought half ownership of the club, and the two married in 1998, making the club a family business. Employees have included Holly Scorpio, Miguel Morez and Robin Scorpio. The Paradise LoungeStrip club once owned by Sonny Corinthos. Karen Wexler and Tammy Hansen once worked there as strippers. The club was closed by the PCPD in 1993 for working underage strippers. The Recovery RoomBar & Grill located across the street from General Hospital. Managed by the Scanlon family and Mary Scanlon's husband Victor Collins. Previously managed by Mike Corbin. Popular establishment in the late 1990s. The Ward HouseOrphanage started by Mary Mae Ward, named for her son Bradley, a community leader who had died 20 years earlier. Pediatrician Simone Hardy was a volunteer at the home and introduced Mary Mae to Laura Spencer. In 1996, Laura Spencer purchased and operated the orphanage after Mary Mae?s death. Destroyed in an arson fire started by mobster Damian Smith who wanted the land to build a toxic waste incinerator. Cosmetics: Jacks/DeceptionJax Cosmetics: Original founder: Jasper Jacks; Former CEO: Lucy Coe; Other Known Employees: Brenda Barrett (Former Model) Deception Cosmetics: Former CEO-Laura Spencer; Partner-Carly Corinthos; Former models-Brenda Barrett, Elizabeth Webber & Gia Campbell Port Charles societyThe Nurses Ball
Katherine (Mary Beth Evans), Mac (John J. York) and Robin (Kimberly McCullough) at The Nurses Ball, 1996. General Hospital Pediatric Ward Christmas party
Alan Quartermaine (Stuart Damon) reads a Christmas story, 2006. ResidentsThe Webbers & HardysSteve 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. He was married to Audrey Hardy for many years, and adopted her son Tom Hardy, who would also become a doctor. His other son, Jeff Webber, is a doctor as well. Jeff's eldest children, Steven and Sarah, are also doctors, while his youngest daughter, Elizabeth Webber, is a nurse. Elizabeth has two children, Cameron Webber and Jake Morgan. The QuartermainesOne of the most distinguished families in Port Charles is the Quartermaine family, who moved to the area in 1978 and are best known for running E.L.Q. Industries. The Quartermaines have had a long-standing 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. Dr. Alan Quartermaine was 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. Other Quartermaine's include Emily Quartermaine, Skye Quartermaine,Dillon Quartermaine, Jason Morgan, and the newest member of the family is Jake Morgan. The Spencers: Luke and Laura Webber SpencerLaura 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 and Laura later returned to Port Charles in 1993. Luke and Laura have two children together, Lucky Spencer and Lulu Spencer. Laura also has a son with Stavros Cassadine, Nikolas Cassadine. The CassadinesThe 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, joined by distant Cassadine cousin Alexis Davis who was later revealed to be Mikkos' illegitimate daughter (Natasha Cassadine) with opera singer Kristen Bergmen. For a time, Stefan owned General Hospital. In 2001, the family received another addition when Alexis' long lost sister, Kristina Cassadine (originally Kristina Carter), was brought to town to reunite with her sister by Jasper Jacks. 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. Alexis has given birth to three daughters, Sam McCall, Kristina Davis, and Molly Lansing, fathered by unknown man, Sonny Corinthos, and Ric Lansing respectively. Nikolas now has a child, Spencer Cassadine, with the late Courtney Matthews. The ScorpiosAustralian ex-pat Robert was Police Commissioner 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 to track down Luke Spencer who had brought the encephalitis outbreak to Port Charles. Now trying to mend his relationship with his daughter and his wife, Robin and Anna. The Mob: Sonny Corinthos and Jason MorganSonny 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 Dr. 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, including starting a relationship with Elizabeth Webber and has a son with her, Jake Spencer. He is now the mob kinging in Port Charles. The ZaccharasInsane mob boss, Anthony Zacchara came to Port Charles in September 2007. He brought his son, Johnny Zacchara and his lawyer, Trevor Lansing. It turned out that Trevor was the real mob boss. When Anthony jumped off the roof of Wyndemere Castle, he was paralyzed from the neck down and his son Johnny became the new mob boss. Johnny has plans to take down a manipulative Trevor. Claudia Zacchara who is Johnny's sister arrived in Port Charles on January 31. Residences
Former residences
Characters
Local PoliticsMayors
Council Members
Law and OrderPolice Department
District Attorneys
Assistant District Attorneys
Education
Religion
General HospitalChief Of Staff
Assistant Chief of Staff
Head Nurse
Deaths
CrimeRapes
Notable Trials
Disasters
ReferencesNotesBibliographyExternal linksGeneral Hospital Top Ten Catastrophes
Source: Wikipedia | The above article is available under the GNU FDL. | Edit this article 
|
