A little question

[Cassandra Blair]

I'm working on my first effort at DS fanfic, and have a little question. Is the name of Maine's pre-eminent psychiatric hospital spelled:

Windcliff;

Windcliffe;

Wyndcliff;

Wyndcliffe;

Wyncliff; or

Wyncliffe?

I've seen lots of different versions in other's fanfics and/or postings about the show, but wanted to know how it was 'officially' spelled.  Can anyone help me out?
Thanks!  

[Gothick]

The most common spelling I've seen is Windcliff.  However, a fan who had some of the scripts told me that Sam Hall spelled it Wyndcliffe.

There was a real house with this name on the Hudson River, I believe in Dutchess County, NY state.  Edith Wharton gave this name to a mansion in one of her novels, as well.

Gothick

[Carol]

There was a real house with this name on the Hudson River, I believe in Dutchess County, NY state. Gothick

Check out this site, Gothick:

www.hudsonvalleyruins.org/yasinsac/wyndcliffe

For some reason this was the only way I could get the addy to work. Otherwise it kept coming up as "File not found".  Check each area listed and you will see a different pix of Wyndclyffe.

   

[Julia99]

Very interesting Carol. . of course that doesn't look at all like the white clapboard building with the wrap around porch by the sea we were told was Julia's domain.

[Carol]

Very interesting Carol. . of course that doesn't look at all like the white clapboard building with the wrap around porch by the sea we were told was Julia's domain.

Of course it wouldn't, Julia99, because Gothick wanted to see the Hudson Valley mansion of the same name. I have no idea what house they used in DS for Wyndcliff Sanitarium but someone knew of the name and decided to use it.  I'm sorry if I confused you.

[Gerard]

I always liked "Wyndcliffe".  It just seems so Jane Eyreish, gothic and regal.  Ironically, right across the street from the Walmart here in my hometown, there's a new apartment complex with that very name.

Gerard

[Cassandra Blair]

Thanks for the spelling suggestions.  And I really loved the pics and story behind the 'real' Wyndclyffe!

[Gothick]

Thanks for that cool link, Carol.  Great site!

What fascinates me is that Malcolm Marmorstein or Ron Sproat or whoever did the show where the name Wyndcliffe was first used chose it for reasons we will presumably never know.  In October of that year (1967) Sam Hall started writing for DS as a result of meeting Dan Curtis at a party (this was that point where Grayson had already been on the show for several months, obviously). And then in 1978 or 1979 Grayson and Sam bought WILDERCLIFF, a house that isn't very far at all from Wyndcliffe.

The construction date of Wildercliff?  1799.  How's THAT for synchronicity!

Gothick

[Cassandra Blair]

And then in 1978 or 1979 Grayson and Sam bought WILDERCLIFF, a house that isn't very far at all from Wyndcliffe.

The construction date of Wildercliff?  1799.  How's THAT for synchronicity!

That is way interesting, Gothick!  Where *do* you get your information?  I don't suppose you know of any pics of Wildercliff online? You must be the ultimate Grayson fan, which I totally respect.  

[Julia99]

Of course it wouldn't, Julia99, because Gothick wanted to see the Hudson Valley mansion of the same name. I have no idea what house they used in DS for Wyndcliff Sanitarium but someone knew of the name and decided to use it.  I'm sorry if I confused you.

I wasn't confused. . i lived in the Hudson Valley and knew the place as well as Wildercliffe too but i didn't know at the time that it was Dr. Hoffman's house, lol!  There i was watching DS, scaring my little charges (i was a nanny) and GH's house was 3 miles away . .of course, she wasn't there any longer.