Rhulin Farms

Rhulin Farms is a farmstead situated on Route 7, approximately five miles from the Derry town line, on the road that becomes Witcham Road and then Witcham Street as it approaches the town center. It lies between the Bowers place and the Hanlon place, forming part of the rural fringe of Derry. The farm is owned and operated by the Rhulin family, who are known for selling eggs and vegetables to local residents, including Richie Tozier's mother.

Location and Setting

Rhulin Farms is located on Route 7, a road that runs from Haven Village into Derry. The farm is situated in a stretch of countryside that includes the Bowers farm and the Hanlon farm, creating a cluster of properties that are central to the novel's geography. The area is characterized by its rural, agricultural character, with fields and woodlands lining the road. The farm is a familiar landmark for characters traveling into Derry from the north, and its location marks the transition from the open countryside to the more densely populated areas of the town.

Association with the Hanlon Family

The Rhulin Farms are closely associated with the Hanlon family, who live nearby. Mike Hanlon's father, Will Hanlon, had a long-standing conflict with Butch Bowers, Henry Bowers's father, which was rooted in part in their proximity as neighbors. The Rhulin Farms are also mentioned in the context of the Hanlon family's history, as the farm is located near the site of the old Kitchener Ironworks, where Mike Hanlon had a terrifying encounter with a giant bird. The farm's location on Route 7 places it on the route that Richie Tozier takes when he returns to Derry in 1985, and it serves as a point of reference for his journey back into the town's past.

Narrative Significance

Rhulin Farms functions as a geographical marker that helps to define the boundaries of Derry and its surrounding rural areas. It is a place that is familiar to the characters, particularly those who grew up in the area, and its mention evokes a sense of the town's rural character. The farm is also a point of connection between the Hanlon and Bowers families, highlighting the tensions that exist between them. In the context of the novel's exploration of memory and return, Rhulin Farms is one of the landmarks that Richie Tozier passes on his way back to Derry, triggering a flood of memories and emotions as he re-enters the town of his childhood.