The gazebo at Easter Park in Twin Peaks serves as the backdrop for several key scenes in seasons 1 and 2 in Twin Peaks. According to the “Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town,” the gazebo is located in Upper Twin Park at the corner of Falls Avenue and Cedar Street, which is nowhere near a lake as seen in the series. In reality, the gazebo was located on the shore of Malibou Lake at Malibou Lake Mountain Club, in Agoura Hills, California.
THE LOCATION
The area circled in red at the corner of Lake Vista Drive and Lake Shore Drive was home to the gazebo. The approximate coordinates for this location are 34°06’33.1″N 118°45’14.7″W.
Another look at the spot (courtesy of Google Earth) shows where the gazebo was located by Malibou Lake. The area is considered private property, so I couldn’t get close enough to the location when I first visited in August 2008.
The surrounding area was also used for several scenes in Twin Peaks including the exterior of the Johnson House, One-Eyed Jacks, Timber Falls Motel, the Log Lady’s cabin and more.
WOOSLEY FIRE
Unfortunately, the gazebo was destroyed during the devastating Woosley Fire in Southern California in November 2018. The above image comes from a New York Times article about how the fire impacted this popular California wedding destination. See this article from CBS News that shares ways you can assist those affected by this terrible fire.
I returned to this spot on September 19, 2020, nearly two years after the fire. Any remnants of the gazebo are now long gone, and it doesn’t look like it is being rebuilt. When I win the lottery, I plan on making a screen accurate gazebo and giving it to the community in honor of Twin Peaks fans.
As a follow up to the Setting The Stage article about the gazebo, let’s a take a closer look at the five episodes that used this spot as a film location.
EPISODE 1005
The gazebo’s first appearance is in Episode 1005 when James Hurley and Donna Hayward meet. He shares his family’s history with Donna as he doesn’t want to keep secrets from her.
The scene opens with Donna crossing the lawn before entering the gazebo and hugging James.
The episode aired on May 10, 1990, but I love the gorgeous golds, reds and oranges of the landscape which makes it feel more like fall.
Bing Maps has a nice look at the area from February 2015. Donna crossed from the right side of the image moving toward the gazebo.
During their conversation, you can see the faint outline of the small island located in Mailbou Lake.
The same island can be seen in this image from Google Maps.
A similar view of the spot in September 2020.
James eventually crosses to the opposite side of the gazebo, looking out toward Easter Lake (a.k.a. Malibou Lake). There are reverse shots of James and Donna speaking which shows the embankment behind the gazebo. I believe an out-of-focus image of the tree on the far left side of the image can be seen in the series.
The scene ends with James and Donna looking at Black Lake. It’s an impossible view from where the gazebo is located.
More than likely the establishing shot was captured from the boat dock nearby. I found a similar, albeit slightly higher, image from the bridge along Lake Vista Drive.
EPISODE 1006
We return to the gazebo at nighttime in Episodes 1006 and 1007. This scene includes Maddy Ferguson making a phone call to Dr. Lawrence Jacoby while dressed as Laura Palmer. Donna and James attempt to lure Jacoby away from his office so they look for clues about Laura’s murder.
The scene opens with James Hurley patiently waiting by the gazebo as Donna and Maddy arrive in a 1984 Chevy Cavalier Wagon.
The car was probably supposed to be similar to the 1978 Ford Fairmont Wagon that Donna drove in the Pilot Episode. But I digress…
Here’s a look at the area from Lake Vista Drive. Donna and Maddy arrive by driving along Lake Shore Drive which is private property.
Maddy places her phone call to Dr. Jacoby at a payphone near a dock by the gazebo.
The payphone was a prop. I mean why would a payphone be randomly placed by the dock on private property?
The phone is later missing in Episodes 2019 and 2020 when Cooper and team discover Windom Earle’s giant pawn. This prop is similar to Twin Peaks – Part 5 on Showtime where Jade drops the Great Northern Hotel key in a prop mailbox .
Bobby Briggs, who is watching the action unfold, is unknowingly being watched by a masked man.
The scene appears to be shot from an area just below Lake Vista Drive.
There could have been more shrubbery and trees in the area during the early 1990s. Sadly, I haven’t found photo reference to confirm.
James and Donna drive away on Lake Shore Drive leaving Maddy behind. I’m still confused why they all didn’t just leave using Donna’s car.
Here’s a look at Lake Shore Drive from Lake Vista Drive. Notice the Malibou Lake Mountain Club (MLMC) gate on the far left side of the image. It also appears landscaping was added to the location since the episode aired.
The episode ends with the camera following Maddy as she circles the gazebo.
I believe the trees that are seen in the foreground of this Bing Maps image are the same ones from the episode.
EPISODE 1007
In Episode 1007, we return to the gazebo as Dr. Jacoby has figured out the spot where the video was shot. As he approaches the gazebo, he is shocked to see “Laura Palmer.” While looking at Maddy in disguise, Jacoby is attacked by a masked man and left for dead.
Maddy can be seen circling a tree near the boat dock and gazebo.
The tree is located to the left of the gazebo as seen in this image by Kathy Smiley. You can also spot the tree in the AP image of the gazebo on fire (notice the base of the trunk which matches the tree in the episode).
The tree is now gone, which only makes me more sad.
Jacoby watches from a spot just below Lake Vista Drive, which is similar to where Bobby Briggs was standing.
A masked man sneaks up behind Jacoby and repeatedly beats him until he falls on the ground. The trees behind the man were purposely lit to pick up their details. They also confirm where the scene was shot.
The trees seen in the background are located on the other side of Lake Vista Drive.
They are still found there today.
I believe the shots of Dr. Jacoby on the ground were captured on location.
There is a slight chance, however, this part of the scene could have been shot on set. All the shots are closeups and don’t show much surrounding details.
EPISODE 2019
Episode 2019 in Season 2 has two scenes that take place at the gazebo. The first scene shows Annie Blackburn and Special Agent Dale Cooper sharing a tender moment while Fisherman Earle watches from afar.
After a short excursion on Easter Lake, Annie and Cooper walk from the boat dock to the gazebo.
Earle watches as the two lovebirds stop by the gazebo and share another kiss
I love Earle’s many disguises including this fisherman outfit complete with a Saf-T-Bak fishing vest.
Based on the bend of the middle tree, I’m thinking Fisherman Earle stood around this spot while watching Cooper and Annie.
I adore this shot of the gazebo with Annie and Cooper standing nearby. It’s really quite sad that it’s now gone.
EPISODE 2019 – NIGHTTIME
The second appearance of the gazebo in Episode 2019 takes place at night when the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department discovers a wooden box. The team will soon uncover that Windom Earle’s next move is waiting inside.
Cooper arrives on the scene, parking his car along Lake Shore Drive. You can see the giant tree just at the end of the white fence.
Agent Cooper speaks with Sheriff Truman and Deputy Brennan in front of the steps of the gazebo.
He then finds a rock next to the gazebo’s landscaping, wraps it in yellow caution tape and attaches one end to a round pull protruding from the wooden box.
One day I imagine Google Maps will have the ability to go all places. For now, I can only provide another image of the gazebo and imagine the action taking place on the opposite side.
After placing the caution tape-wrapped rock on the gazebo railing, Cooper, Truman and Brennan retreat behind the Sheriff’s Ford Bronco parked next to the dock.
Look carefully behind Cooper and you’ll notice the payphone is missing.
Sharpshooter Cooper hits the rock on the gazebo railing which opens the wooden box.
Cooper and Truman approach the now opened box to find a dead “Heavy Metal Youth” (a.k.a. Rusty Tomaski played by Ted Raimi) encased inside a giant black pawn.
The landscaping in the foreground wasn’t present in 1990. The Sheriff’s vehicle was parked next to that brown dock for this particular scene.
EPISODE 2020
Episode 2020 begins with the removal of the giant pawn from the gazebo (notice the sod on the gazebo floor).
The team walks by the brown dock on their way to loading it into a truck.
While the pawn is removed, Cooper, Truman and Brennan question Rusty’s friend, a “Roadie” played by Willie Garson. I really need to find Truman’s sweater!
This was the last episode in Twin Peaks to feature the gazebo.
