Van Horn Trading Post

History

Van Horn Trading Post is a small but bustling port town on the eastern coast of New Hanover, known for its lawlessness and rough inhabitants. It was once a vibrant and busy port, a key location for river trade and commerce. Over time, as the frontier changed and the need for such outposts diminished, the town fell into decay. The once-thriving trading post became a haven for outlaws, criminals, and drifters, attracting a rough clientele that has since defined its character.

Van Horn is a dangerous and unpredictable place due to its complete lack of law enforcement. The town's inhabitants are hostile and quick to resort to violence; disputes are often settled through brawls or gunfights. Unlike other settlements, there is no sheriff's office, and any act of aggression, no matter how small, can quickly escalate into an all-out gun battle with the entire town. The people of Van Horn have a strict, violent code of their own, making it a place where strangers are not welcome and where a minor insult can lead to a deadly confrontation.

The town's non-functional lighthouse, a symbol of its decline, stands as a bleak monument to a bygone era. The marina, once a bustling hub, has been left to rot, and the entire settlement has taken on a grim, lawless atmosphere. The town features weathered, multi-story wooden buildings with faded paint, crowded along a muddy main street. The waterfront is dominated by rotting docks, fishing boats, and a rusty shipwreck, all under the shadow of a non-functional lighthouse.

Locations

• Van Horn Lighthouse

  • Owner: None listed

  • Description: A towering structure rising above the rocky coastline, accessible by a narrow, treacherous bridge. A spiral staircase inside leads to an observation platform with a commanding view of the river. The lighthouse is painted white with red stripes, its light long since extinguished.

• Van Horn Inn

  • Owner: M. Paterson

  • Description: The Van Horn Inn serves as a long-term lodging option for residents of the trading post, offering a rougher alternative to the nearby saloon. This large, imposing wooden structure stands next to the Old Light Saloon, its paint weathered and peeling. Grimy windows and a sagging frame reflect the neglect of the town, while a simple sign reading 'Van Horn Inn - M. Paterson, Prop.' hangs near the entrance.

• Old Light Saloon

  • Owner: Josie Dawson

  • Description: The Old Light Saloon serves as the heart of Van Horn, a lawless trading post filled with outlaws and drifters. Known for its raucous atmosphere, it is a place where deals are made, and fights often break out, making it a dangerous yet essential gathering spot. This large, two-story stone brick building has faded, peeling paint and a weathered sign above the batwing doors. A second-floor balcony overlooks the muddy street, providing patrons with a view of the chaotic happenings below.

• Blackley Hotel

  • Owner: None listed

  • Description: The Blackley Hotel stands as a haunting relic of its former glory, now a shell of decay and neglect. Its broken shutters and boarded-up doors create an eerie atmosphere, while moss clings to the crumbling walls, hinting at years of abandonment. Surrounding the hotel, makeshift camps of the homeless have sprung up, with scattered mattresses and flickering fires illuminating the shadows of the night. The hotel is a three-story structure with a once-grand facade now marred by time. The windows are shattered or boarded up, and the entrance is choked with overgrown weeds and debris, giving it a foreboding presence.

• Moennig & Son

  • Owner: None listed

  • Description: Moennig & Son is a tall, brick building that once thrived as a horseshoeing business. Now, it stands abandoned with boarded-up windows and a cluttered yard filled with old wagons, crates, and barrels, creating a neglected and eerie atmosphere.

• Van Horn Telegraph Office

  • Owner: Horatio Harrison

  • Description: The Van Horn Telegraph Office serves as a crucial communication hub for the isolated community of Van Horn. This rustic structure symbolizes the town's dependence on a single point of contact for news and correspondence. A small wooden building with a slanted roof, the office features faded signs and a large telegraph pole nearby.

• Silas Crawford Wholesale & Retail

  • Owner: Silas Crawford

  • Description: Silas Crawford Wholesale & Retail serves as the primary source of provisions, ammunition, and dry goods for the rough clientele of Van Horn Trading Post. The building is a two-story structure made of weathered wood, in dire need of a fresh coat of paint. Its large, dusty glass display windows are cluttered with a haphazard assortment of goods, while a faded sign hangs above the entrance, reflecting the tired and grimy atmosphere of the town.

• Van Horn Marina

  • Owner: None listed

  • Description: Once a bustling hub for river trade, the Van Horn Marina now lies in ruins, overtaken by nature and neglect. The wooden docks creak ominously underfoot, with large gaping holes and sections submerged in the murky waters, making navigation perilous.

Notable Inhabitants

• Josie Dawson (Saloon Owner)

• Silas Crawford (Fence)

• Horatio Harrison (Station Clerk)

• M. Paterson (Inn Owner)