CSMH was an asylum that really existed. The article Zoe & Baxter come across contains all factual information, except the bit about Dr. Clock. It is even rumored that the Eagles song, Hotel California, is about a friend who had to stay there for a time. Check out the N’Sync music video I Drive Myself Crazy to see it on screen. 

Out of all the locations in this novel, this is my favorite. Mostly because I actually went to school at Cal State Channel Islands, right when it opened, and got to experience the ghostly vibe it had before it became a popular university. The campus and the feel of it stuck with me. 

Driving into the campus was something special too. I remember University Drive curving around, going through orange groves, just like Baxter & Zoe did. And yes, the trees canopied over the entrance and you had to drive over a wooden bridge, but I sadly that’s gone now, replaced with concrete and less trees. But back then, it opened up to this valley-like clearing. All I could was stare at the Spanish architecture with red tile roofs and white stucco against the backdrop of a hill. Very serene. 

I remember walking down one of the renovated hallways, by myself, of course, and was heading to a back parking lot. But to get there, I had to cross into the wing that was not renovated yet. As soon as I crossed where the new and old part met, a cold chill wrapped around me and I felt like I stepped back in time. Needless to say, I was spooked, and got out of there real fast. 

I know there has been a lot of growth on the campus. I probably couldn’t even remember what buildings I used to go to because it has transformed so much and looks like a proper university campus. But in 2002, it was chilling--a perfect place for ghosts and all things creepy. 

I loved every minute of it. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZi_7t__cJk 

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https://library.csuci.edu/collections/hospital/

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