The contour of the Hathorne Hill site itself, 1200 feet fronting on Maple Street and another 2100 feet on the Newburyport Turnpike, was the primary determining factor in the location of the building.The lenth of the complex is 1180', its depth 511'. The entire length of the wall is nearly a mile and there are over 240 angles.Some walls were built as thick as 3 1/2 feet. The Danvers State Insane Asylum, which follows the Kirkbride form, is clearly dressed in a gothic style which was very popular in 1870's.