In the Footsteps of E. A. Poe

Since I was young, there was just something about the stories of Edgar Allan Poe that compelled me. I don’t know if it was the way he could foist a surprise on the reader. Or the way he portrayed loss with such touching tenderness. More recently I discovered the details of his life and his bizarre and unexplained death. It was this as much as his writing that compelled me to follow in the footsteps of E. A. Poe.

So What’s in Baltimore?

If you know me at all, you know that you should never ask “read any good books lately” or “what’s interesting to see in (name a location)”, unless you’re REALLY ready for lengthy response. Whenever Stephen asks me about a place to visit, I’m able to come up with something either unusual or literary to go and see. He says that I’m a walking “Atlas Obscura” – a publication that maps out must-see weird things around the globe. When asked about Baltimore, not only did I share that it is the location of Poe’s grave, he got the bonus content about Poe’s death. (I’m quite sure he expects nothing less, when he asks.)

The Edgar Allan Poe House

For many years, E. A. Poe shared this little home with his grandmother, Elizabeth Cairns, his first cousins, Virginia and Henry Clemm, and his aunt, Maria Clemm. For perspective, the main floor is the size of my living room, the second floor has two bedrooms and the top floor, which can only be accessed by a steep and winding staircase, has low, sloping ceilings that only allow a person to stand if they are in the middle of the room.

While living here, Poe decided to change his writing from poetry to fiction, penning the horror story “Berenice”. It’s a story about a man who keeps falling into trance like states while preparing to marry his cousin, Berenice. Berenice’s health begins to deteriorate during the engagement, until only her teeth remain healthy. One day, the man awakes from a trance to hear that his betrothed was buried alive. Next to him is a shovel and a box containing 32 teeth. I think it’s important to note that Poe decided to marry his cousin Virginia while living here. I wonder if she had any concerns after reading that tome? Or if she ever read it at all??

The strange story of his death

In 1849, Poe was discovered laying in the street in front of a tavern. Though he was known to enjoy drinking, this was different. He was incoherent and wearing clothes that didn’t belong to him. “The Horse” in Fells Point was his last known destination and is still operating today. They fully embrace their tie to Poe and the mystery surrounding his death.

“Lord, have mercy on my poor soul.”

Four days after he was found, Poe died having only said two things: “Reynolds” and “Lord, have mercy on my poor soul.” His cause of death was listed as swelling of the brain, which may have been true, but it doesn’t address how he came to be in this state. Historians and amature sleuths have proposed everything from the rabies to “cooping”. My favorite is the latter. During this time, people were abducted and kept in coops, where they were plied with alcohol, drugs, and beatings. They were then forced to cast multiple ballots, often wearing other people’s clothing and donning wigs, in order to appear as different registered voters. The place where Poe was found was not only a bar, it was a polling place and it was Election Day.

Westminster Burial Ground

Poe’s grave was originally very modest but as is often the case with artists, he became more famous in death. He was given a monument and moved about 25 years later to his final resting place. Both the monument and the original location are in the Westminster Burial Grounds.

The Boston Connection

While doing a little self-guided history tour of Boston, I came across this placquard. I visited the Poe statue previously but thought it was an outcropping from the statues on Commonwealth Avenue. I now understand that the people on Commonwealth Ave., as well as Poe, were all famous Bostonians. (It takes me a while, but I get there eventually!)

Miscellaneous Poe encounters

Over the past couple of years, I’ve run into some fun and not historically driven Poe encounters. First up, Poe’s Tavern in Atlantic Beach, Florida.

A Poe Devotional candle at Carmichael’s Bookstore in Louisville, KY which now sits in my office.

A Poe corner at An Unexpected Treasure Hunt, a vintage shop in Birchrun, MI.

A Poe puppet at the Ink by Hudson bookstore in DTW – the Detroit Metropolitan Airport. I don’t know when I may need a Poe puppet but it’s very comforting to know where I can find one when I need it.

And lastly, this terrible reference to “The Dream Within a Dream” at the Salvadore Dali museum. It was terrible because they cited the author as “Alexander Poe”.

Nevermore

Thanks for walking with us, in the footsteps of E. A. Poe. I’ll leave you with this little homage I made to “The Raven”.

If you enjoyed our little trip on the darker side of the street, stick with us through October where we’ll have some more spooky journeys on tap. And if you haven’t already, considering subscribing to us for free. You’ll get the latest content plus “members only” curated content. Lastly, you can see what we’re up to in real time on Instagram at The__Travel__Oracle. Until next time, remember to stay spooky, friends!