New Zebedee is a city in central Michigan and the setting for the adventures of Lewis Barnavelt and Rose Rita Pottinger.The city serves as the county seat of Capernaum County and has a population of around 6,000.

Inspiration

Much of the names and locales in New Zebedee were inspired by Bellairs' hometown, the uniquely historic Marshall, Michigan.

Naming

Zebedee is a Biblical allusion, one of many religious references throughout Bellairs' work. In the Bible, Zebedee was a Hebrew fisherman and the father of James and John, two of the Apostles of Jesus (Mark 3:17). His wife is said to have been Salome, one of the women who beheld His crucifixion and brought offerings to his tomb.

Notable locations in New Zebedee:

• National Museum of Magic
• Barnavelt House
• Civil War Monument
• County Courthouse
• G.A.R. Hall
• Hawaii House
• Heemsoth’s Rexall Drug Store
• Lyon Lake
• Main Street
• Mansion Street
• Masonic Temple
• National Museum of Magic
• New Zebedee Fountain
• Opera House
• Oaklawn Hospital
• Oakridge Cemetery