In Season 2 of Twin Peaks, there are three episodes – 2010, 2011, and 2012 – with scenes inside Twin Peaks High School. Unlike the high schools in the Pilot Episode and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me which were shot in Washington state, this location is found in Van Nuys, California. It was the school’s mascot helped that me find this location.
Scenes for these episodes were filmed at Van Nuys High School, located at 6535 Cedros Ave, Van Nuys, California. Episode 2010 aired on December 8, 1990 which means they may have shot footage in November.
Fans of the 1980s coming-of-age classic Fast Times at Ridgemont High may recognize this school as both the exterior and interior were used as film locations. More recently, the school was used as a setting in the Big Bang Theory spin-off show on CBS, Young Sheldon. So how did I identify the spot?
In Episode 2012, the Twin Peaks High School wrestling team is gathered in the gymnasium. There is a cut-away shot of team watching Nadine Butler Hurley and Mike Nelson lock arms on a red mat. In the background, I spotted a scoreboard with the word “Wolves.”
I knew Van Nuys served as the location of the soundstage used for Season 1 and 2. A quick search for Van Nuys High School revealed their mascot was the Wolves. It wasn’t until much later during my search that I found the Wikipedia entry for Van Nuys High School – “An episode of 7th Heaven was filmed there as well, as was an episode of Twin Peaks.”
But more than one episode used footage from the school. Most likely the crew shot all of the scenes at the same time, but they were edited into three different episodes.
Let’s take a closer look at the four locations.
ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE
Episode 2010 was the first time we see Van Nuys High School. Assistant Principal Greege (played by Don Calfa) is seen speaking with Dr. Lawrence Jacoby and Big Ed Hurley about admitting Nadine Hurley to school. I was unable to find an exact location photo that matches, yet I’m guessing this was filmed at the school based on the lockers and red stripe in the window.
When Nadine enters the room, we get a look into the hallway. I looked at several other scenes in the series that could have matched – the sets for the Sheriff’s Department, Emory Battis’ office, etc. But I found no match.
Nadine leaves and Big Ed shuts the door. I tried looking at the clippings on the cork board but I wasn’t able to discern much. So I kept thinking about that red stripe on the wall behind Greege. More on that in a moment.
STAIRS, HALL, AND LOCKERS
We return to the school in Episode 2011 with a scene that takes place in a hallway with stairs and lockers.
Thanks to a public image folder on the internets, I found these image from the school. While they aren’t the exact stairwell, look at the railings. The stairs in the top image look like a mirror reflection of the stairs from the episode.
Nadine Butler Hurley approaches Donna Hayward who is standing by her yellow school locker.
Mike Nelson passes by as Nadine and Donna speak about relationships.
That same public image folder contained this image of yellow lockers from Van Nuys High School. It’s not the same spot but the lockers appear to be an exact match. Plus, look at that orange, cream and brown tiled flooring. You can see it as Mike approaches Nadine and Donna.
Like the lockers at the actual high school, they are stacked three high in the episode.
And there’s the red stripe again which could easily have been added by the crew in order to match the red wall stripes found at Mt. Si High School in the Pilot Episode.
More proof of this location can be found in Episode 2012 when Donna visits her locker again.
As Mike Nelson approaches Donna, we get a better look at the floor. Notice the door Mike walks by.
The door looks similar to one seen in Fast Times at Ridgemont High which was confirmed to have been filmed inside the school.
As Mike follows Donna down the hall, we get a look at the ceiling lights (they also match the ones in Fast Times at Ridgemont High). You may also spot a red stripe on the wall in the background.
The inclusion of those red stripes in multiple scenes is the reason why I think the Assistant Principal’s office was filmed at the school too.
WEIGHT ROOM
Mike Nelson is shown lifting weights in Episode 2011.
Nadine drops by to chat during his workout.
Coach Buck Wingate (played by Ron Taylor) enters the weight room and spots Nadine’s superhuman strength.
I found the above photo on LocoScout.com of the weight room at Van Nuys High School. It’s the only shot I’ve found that may match the weight room from the series, especially the placement of the door. wood flooring, and walls.
GYMNASIUM
The last location used was the old gymnasium at Van Nuys High School. They weren’t filmed in the newer gym which is seen with the red roof on the right side of campus.
Here’s unedited image of the wrestling team that helped me identify this spot.
Here is a look at the old gym at Van Nuys High. Notice the scoreboard, the basketball hoops and the bleachers! Yes, I was screaming when I found this image!
It appears the wooden beams have been painted white. Yet the lights, the ceiling vents and the doors appear to match.
Mike Nelson was shown sitting on the bleachers before being called to wrestle Nadine by Coach Wingate.
Here are the bleachers from Van Nuys High School.
Another look at the bleachers from the episode.
A Steeplejacks sign is seen in the background along with other looks at the ceiling, scoreboard, doors and more.
Another look at the actual Van Nuys High School with a similar view from the episode.
Here are a few more images from the gym in Episode 2012. You can see a part of the floor logo when Mike is thrown by Nadine.
There are only two more locations left for Twin Peaks High School. Stay tuned.
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