Construction Timeline
This chronology documents the construction and major modifications to Blackthorn Manor from 1866 to present. Entries marked with anomalous circumstances are indicated.
Initial Construction Period (1866-1871)
August: Sir William Blackthorn returns from Egyptian expedition.
September: Property purchased within one week of inspection, despite remote location and poor condition of existing structures.
October: Ground broken for central portion. Construction begins at unprecedented pace.
January-December: Central block and west wing construction. Worker records indicate 200+ laborers employed.
Parish records document first worker fatalities—three deaths attributed to "construction accidents."
March: East wing construction begins under separate building team.
Throughout year: Additional worker fatalities. Records show 17 total deaths among "foreign laborers" during construction period.
March: Unexplained construction delay begins.
March-September: DATA UNAVAILABLE
October: Construction resumes with significantly revised east wing designs.
Manor declared "complete," though east wing remains partially unfinished.
Final modifications to east wing completed after second construction team engaged.
Family takes residence. First known incident of classified unusual circumstances reported in household records.
Modifications and Additions (1877-1942)
Installation of specialized acoustic treatments throughout east wing. Purpose undocumented.
Addition of copper infrastructure within east wing walls. Subsequent analysis reveals geometric patterns inconsistent with utility function.
"The Incident": Renovation of eastern corner room following "unexplained fire." Three fatalities recorded.
Significant modification to "The Apparatus" in attic. Specialized materials imported from Germany and India.
Reinforcement of foundation beneath east wing. Sir William Blackthorn dies in November.
Limited electrical installation by Edward Blackthorn. Electricity explicitly prohibited in east wing.
Family trust established with unusual preservation requirements.
Secondary hydraulic system installed throughout east wing. Engineer's report notes "unnecessary complexity."
Specialized ventilation system added to attic and third floor. Original fireplace network retained.
Replacement of all east wing windows with specialized Czech glass, despite pre-war import difficulties.
Abandonment: Final modifications to observatory equipment.
Blackthorn family vacates property. Circumstances DATA UNAVAILABLE.
Government involvement documented but details remain classified.
Post-Abandonment Period (1942-Present)
Period of official neglect. However, maintenance records suggest selective preservation of specific systems continued under Margaret Blackthorn's direction.
Three researchers (Reed, Winston, Ashworth) disappear after visiting property. Investigation inconclusive.
Property sold to Penrose Heritage Developments. Sale includes unusual preservation requirements.
Margaret Blackthorn dies. Final family member with detailed knowledge of property.
National Heritage Commission designates east wing as site of "Special Architectural Significance."
Multiple renovation attempts by Penrose Heritage. All abandoned due to "structural complications" and "workforce retention issues."
Property acquired by Threshold Holdings Ltd. "Research facility" proposal approved. No visible development to date.
Key Patterns
Analysis of this timeline reveals several notable patterns:
- Major modifications tend to follow "incidents" that are poorly documented
- The east wing receives disproportionate modification attention
- Worker fatalities during original construction exceed normal expectations
- Post-1942 ownership has consistently failed to complete renovation work
- Government involvement in 1942 remains unexplained
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