The Black Spot Fire

The 1930 fire at the Black Spot nightclub, a historical atrocity that exemplified Derry's violence and It's influence.

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The Fire

The Lynching of a Club The Background The Black Spot was a nightclub for black soldiers at the Derry Army Air Corps Base. It became popular with white civilians, angering the local white supremacist group, the Maine Legion of White Decency. The Attack One night, the Legion set fire to the club. Over sixty people died, including many soldiers. The fire was a massacre, and the survivors were traumatized. Will Hanlon, Mike's father, was one of the few who escaped. The Aftermath The fire was covered up, and no one was prosecuted. It was another example of the violence that plagued Derry. Mike later learned that the clown had been seen at the fire, suggesting It's involvement.

The Legacy

The Memory of Hate The Research Mike Hanlon researched the Black Spot fire as part of his investigation into Derry's history. He interviewed survivors and compiled accounts. The fire was a key piece of evidence that Derry was cursed. The Connection Mike realized that the fire was part of the cycle of violence. It had occurred during a peak period, and the clown had been present. This confirmed that It was the source of the town's evil. The Lesson The Black Spot fire was a reminder of the racism and hatred that It exploited. The Losers, a diverse group, stood against that hatred. Their unity was the antidote to the poison that had infected Derry.

November 1930

1985