In Twin Peaks Part 15 on Showtime, Nadine Hurley walks to Big Ed’s Gas Farm carrying her golden shovel where she sets Big Ed free to pursue his true love, Norma Jennings.
Locating this film location was relatively easy as Mount Si (also known as White Tail Peak and Blue Pine Mountain in the town of Twin Peaks) can be seen in the background as Nadine approaches Big Ed’s Gas Farm.
FINDING THE LOCATION
The scene was shot on September 10, 2015 along North Bend Way in North Bend, Washington. I used an aerial view of North Bend from Google Maps and matched up the mountain in the background with the buildings in the foreground.
Nadine starts her journey at Todd’s Towing and Repair located at 1410 East North Bend Way (far right side of the map above)
She passes by Meadows Mobile Home Park found at 1270 East North Bend Way (you can faintly see the entrance sign to the park in the episode).
Her walk continues past Alpine Fitness Club at 1140 East North Bend Way. Mount Si looms in the background.
She ends her journey at the former Transmission Plus Inc. located at 1130 E North Bend Way. Today, the shop is known as Michael’s Auto Center of North Bend.
BEGINNING HER WALK
I originally wrote this article in March 2018 using images from Google Street View (circa 2008). I updated the article on May 15, 2020 with images from my location visit on September 16, 2019.
Nadine begins her walk in front of Todd’s Towing.
Todd’s Towing and Repair has occupied this location since 1991. The building was constructed in 1951 and may have previously housed Smitty’s Towing
Nadine walks west along North Bend Way toward Big Ed’s. The location image should be a little further west to provide a better match. You can see the edge of a distant mountain in both images.
The Mauve Zone shared several behind-the-scenes images from this shooting day in September 2015. In these images we can see Make-Up artist Debbie Zoller with Wendy Robie. Assistant Director Scott Cameron is found in the white t-shirt in the bottom image.
Look carefully at this image to spot David Lynch behind the monitor as the crew prepares to shoot.
ON THE ROAD
The camera cuts to Nadine’s point-of-view as she continues her walk. At some point after filming was completed, the yellow “Under 21 / Zero Tolerance” sign was removed.
Carrying her golden shovel, Nadine continues her walk along the road that eventually connects to Interstate 90 (see the sign on the right).
Nadine passes by The Meadows at North Bend, a pet-free manufactured home community. A building on the property appears to be constructed in 1941 according to King County Property records. Mobile homes appear to have been installed as early as 1995.
APPROACHING BIG ED’S
Boldly, Nadine marches on toward Big Ed’s Gas Farm. The magnificent Mount Si towers in the back ground. She passes Alpine Fitness Club which is housed in a building that may have been constructed in 1947.
Glenn Derwin founded the gym in 1982 while Karen Derwin bought into the gym in 1989. King County property records show the building was sold to the Derwins from Frank and Birdie Padavich on November 29, 1993.
While I was at the location, a rainbow appeared across the front of Mount Si following a rain shower.
In this behind-the-scenes photo from The Mauve Zone, Nadine is seen waiting to enter the scene.
A wider, behind-the-scenes image shows the crew preparing to shoot Nadine’s scene.
As Nadine passes in front of the garage, we see the iconic “Big Ed’s Gas Farm” sign
This part of Nadine’s walk ends when she spots Big Ed outside by a car. I love that you can see the former Transmissions Plus Inc. sign in the shot. The sign pole has since been removed.
The building was constructed in 1941, and it appears Transmissions Plus, Inc. may have occupied the building since 1997. The company moved to 113 W Russ St in Cle Elum, Washington.
Michael’s Auto Repair moved into this location on November 28, 2017. Follow them on Facebook for deals as well as some fantastic photos and video from North Bend.
I conclude with one final behind-the-scenes image from The Mauve Zone. it looks like Cinematographer Peter Deming is walking in front of the garage while the crew sets up equipment.
Stay tuned for a closer look at Big Ed’s Gas Farm from Season 3.
Really neat to see this. Thanks.