Arkham

Town located on the Miskatonic River in Essex County, Massachusetts. Arkham was founded in the latter 17th century by free-thinkers who found the area's religious communities too strict. The town grew slowly at first, with agriculture being the primary source of revenue. Around the year 1692, the witchcraft fever which swept Salem also touched Arkham. The Arkham authorities sent at least one witch, Keziah Mason, to Salem for trial, and Goody Fowler was hung by an angry mob upon her return to town in 1704.

During the middle of the 18th century, Arkham became a thriving seaport. It was one of the town's most influential captains, Jeremiah Orne, who imparted the books and funds which led to the founding of Miskatonic Liberal College. By the beginning of the 19th century, the sea trade had failed, but many mills began to spring up upon the banks of the Miskatonic. In 1861, Miskatonic Liberal College, which already enjoyed the highest reputation, became Miskatonic University, an institution which became the town's most famous landmark. The flood of 1888 and the cholera outbreak of 1905 led to a serious decline in the town's fortunes, but mostly due to the revenue generated by the University, Arkham was able to recover and flourish until the disastrous storm and flood of 1980, which destroyed most of the town.

The town is a paradise for the scholar and antiquarian, but offers little for the casual traveler.