- Borden City is a small fictional city in a novel written by Robert Bloch, titled "Psycho". In the story, Borden City is the hometown of Norman Bates, the main antagonist of the novel. The city is located in the state of California, near the coast. Borden City is described as a quiet, secluded town with a few local businesses and a motel to accommodate travelers passing through. It becomes the setting for the chilling events that unfold in the story, as Norman Bates' dark secrets are gradually revealed. Borden City is not based on a real place but serves as the backdrop for the psychological thriller portrayed in the novel.