Setting the Stage – Big Ed’s Gas Farm Exteriors

Setting the Stage - Big Ed's Gas Farm Exteriors

Big Ed’s Gas Farm in Twin Peaks was a service station run by Big Ed Hurley. I’m taking a closer look at the exteriors of this location as seen in Seasons 1-3 of Twin Peaks. Interestingly, the location “moved” three times during the run of the show.

PILOT EPISODE
BIG ED AND JAMES HURLEY

We’re first introduced to Big Ed’s Gas Farm about 34 minutes into the Pilot Episode.

James on his Motorcycle
Pilot
James pulls into Big Ed's Gas Farm
Pilot
Big Ed's Gas Farm in the Pilot Episode
Pilot

The camera pans to the location as James Hurley pulls up to the Gas Farm on his Harley Davidson motorcycle.  According to the “Twin Peaks Access Guide to the Town,”  Big Ed’s Gas Farm was once located on a beach.

“It is astonishing … the present site of Twin Peaks, was, a billion or so years ago, the western edge – the coast – of North America and where Big Ed’s Gas Farm now stands was then a coastal plain and beach…” Page 54.

The actual location they used for filming was found at 8606 Preston-Fall City Rd SE in Preston, Washington. This article has way more details about this location: Big Ed’s Gas Farm in Twin Peaks Pilot Episode.

James on his bike
Pilot

James parks in front of the Gas Farm and is soon greeted by his uncle.

Big Ed and James Hurley
Pilot
Big Ed Hurley at his gas farm
Pilot

After consoling James, Nadine Hurley yells to Ed that she wants her drapes hung by nightfall.

Big Ed leaving the gas farm in his truck
Pilot

Ed departs in his 1962 Chevrolet C-10 truck complete with a Big Ed’s Gas Farm logo.

PILOT EPISODE
BIG ED AND DONNA HAYWARD

Big Ed's Gas Farm Establishing Shot
Pilot

About 44 minutes into the Pilot Episode, Big Ed returns to his Gas Farm. There is an establishing shot of the location that will be used a few times throughout the show.

Donna Hayward waiting for Big Ed to Return
Pilot
Donna Hayward waiting for Big Ed to Return
Pilot
 Big Ed gets out of his truck
Pilot

As Ed parks his truck, Donna Hayward is waiting for him in a brown 1978 Ford Fairmont Wagon. We get a good look at the side of Big Ed’s truck with he Gas Farm logo as he walks toward the back of his truck.

Big Ed's Gas Farm
Pilot

These shots give a better look at the gray wooden sign that reminds patrons “All Repairs Strictly Cash.”

There are some additional details seen inside the shop, but I’m saving the interior scenes from this location for a future “Setting the Stage” story.

Pilot
Pilot

Ed offers condolences to Donna and gives her the note from  James. While they chat, Mike Nelson, Donna’s “bonehead boyfriend” arrives in a 1964 Buick Skylark with a Washington State license plate – 987BJH.

Mike Nelson arrives at Big Ed's
Pilot
Mike Nelson
Pilot

As he pulls into the lot, we get a glimpse of an A-frame sign advertising “Free Muffler Checks.” A similar sign will return in Season 3 along with the “All Repairs Strictly Cash” sign. More on that in a bit.

Mike Nelson leaves
Pilot

As Mike peels away, he drives north on Preston-Fall City Rd SE. If he was to drive south on that road about six minutes, he would find the locations used as the exterior locations for The Roadhouse and Bookhouse, and Hap’s Diner from Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

Big Ed and Donna Hayward
Pilot

The daytime scene ends with Nadine yelling to Ed about her drapes.

PILOT EPISODE – NIGHTTIME

Pilot
Pilot

A close up nighttime shot of Big Ed’s Gas Farm sign is seen toward the latter part of the Pilot Episode. This is used as an establishing shot before Ed takes a phone call from Norma Jennings.

EPISODE 1002

Big Ed's Gas Farm Sign at night
1002

A similar establishing shot from the Pilot is also seen in Episode 1002. This time the colors appear a little brighter and the sign is seen at a slightly different angle.

Big Ed's Gas Farm at Night
1002
Big Ed's Gas Farm at Night
1002

After the establishing shot of the sign, the entire building is shown. This view of Big Ed’s Gas Farm is not cropped like the previous daytime shots. You can see the front of the Raging River Community Church located at 31104 SE 86th Street.

Off camera, someone yells “Goodnight, Ed” and the interior lights are turned off. I believe the uncredited voice is David Lynch, who also directed this episode.

EPISODE 1005

1005
1005

The next time we see Big Ed’s Gas Farm is in Episode 1005.  This time, the Gas Farm has relocated to Newcomb’s Ranch located at California 2 Mile Marker LA 50.93, La Canada Flintridge, California.

You can see a sign advertising the Mt. Waterman ski lifts located about six miles away.  The cities advertised on a nearby road sign are Clearcut, Brookbank and Venus.

1005
Photo courtesy of Bing Maps

According to Bing Maps in 2015, the cities on that road sign are actually Buckhorn (!!!!), Big Pines and Wrightwood. The location is also across the street from where they filmed Jacques Renault’s cabin in this episode.

But back to Episode 1005…

Big Ed's Gas Farm Sign
1005

As the camera follows the log truck pulling into the lot, we see a new sign (sans neon and smoke) mounted to a tree.

Parking lot of Big Ed's Gas Farm
1005
Big Ed working and Big Ed's tow truck
1005

We also catch a glimpse of Big Ed’s Tow Truck.

Big Ed working on a car
1005
Big Ed Hurley
1005

Big Ed is shown working on a car when he looks up to see Norma Jennings.

Love that Big Ed’s Gas Farm logo on the side of the truck! Interestingly, the red gas pump appears similar to one seen in the Pilot Episode, except the hose is located on the opposite side.

1005
1005

Norma Jennings appears to have driven her 1960 Ford Squire that was first seen parked outside the Double R Diner.

Big Ed wearing his jumpsuit
1005
The Missing Pieces - Big Ed's Jumpsuit
The Missing Pieces – Fire Walk With Me

I love the we see the back of Ed’s work jump suit that has a logo for the Gas Farm printed on the back. We see the same jump suit from a deleted scene in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

EPISODE 1005 – THE GAS PUMP

Gas Pump Comparison
Pilot Episode (Top) vs Episode 1005 (Bottom)

The location of the gas pump has always bothered me in Episode 1005. It seems so randomly placed, especially with that logging truck is parked so close.

I believe the pump is a prop from the original Big Ed’s Gas Farm in Washington State as seen in the Pilot Episode. If you look closely at the peeled labels, the appear to match.

Word on the street is the original Big Ed’s location closed shortly after the series premiered in 1990. It wouldn’t be a far stretch for the crew to salvage this pump for use in Episode 1005.

EPISODE 1005 – ED AND NORMA

Norma Jennings and Big Ed Hurley
1005
Norma Jennings and Big Ed Hurley
1005
Norma Jennings and Big Ed Hurley
1005

Ed and Norma pass Whit-Log Logging Trailer and have an intense conversation near Ed’s tow truck.

Norma Jennings leaving Big Ed's Gas Farm
1005
Big Ed standing by his tow truck
1005

The scene in Episode 1005 ends with Ed watching Norma walk away.

EPISODE 2017

Big Ed's Gas Farm
2017

Episode 2017 is the only time we see the exterior of Big Ed’s Gas Farm exterior in Season 2. The scene cuts from this establishing shot to the interior of the Hurley home (where Dr. Jacoby speaks with Ed and Nadine).

SEASON 3 – PART 13

The first appearance of Big Ed’s Gas Farm in Season 3 is found in Part 13 on Showtime.

Big Ed's Gas Farm at Night
Part 13 on Showtime

This time, the Farm is now located at 1130 E North Bend Way, North Bend, Washington. Look carefully and you’ll notice the neon duck decoy sign, the “All Repairs” sign and an a-frame sign along the side of the road.

Big Ed inside his Gas Farm having dinner
Part 13 on Showtime

This interior image of Big Ed looking outside gives a good look at the gas pumps and the “Strictly Cash” sign found outside.

SEASON 3 – PART 15

Nadine Walking to Big Ed's
Part 15

Part 15 is the final time we see Big Ed’s Gas Farm in Season 3 on Showtime.

The scene begins with Nadine Hurley’s gold shovel walk to the location. I love this shot as you can see Mount Si, the real “Twin Peaks” in the back ground. I covered her walk in this story, just in case you wanted to trace her route.

Nadine's Walk to Big Ed's Gas Farm
Part 15 on Showtime
Nadine's Walk to Big Ed's Gas Farm
Part 15 on Showtime

As Nadine approaches the Gas Farm, you can see a sign for Transmissions Plus, Inc., a former business that once occupied this location.

Big Ed and Nadine at the Gas Farm
Part 15 on Showtime
Big Ed and Nadine at the Gas Farm
Part 15 on Showtime

They have a long conversation which ends with Nadine setting Ed free. You can see the bottom of the “Strictly Cash” sign just above Ed’s head.

Big Ed at the Gas Farm
Part 15 on Showtime

I love this shot of Nadine’s shadow as Ed watches her leave.

Big Ed Watching Nadine Leave
Part 15 on Showtime

Just like Ed, I now bid farewell to Big Ed’s Gas Farm. How I wish you were a real place I could take my truck for service.

Author

  • Steven Miller at Twede's Cafe enjoying cherry pie and coffee

    A "Twin Peaks" fan since October 1993, Steven Miller launched Twin Peaks Blog in February 2018 to document his decades-long fascination with David Lynch and Mark Frost's wonderful and strange show. With his Canon camera in hand, he's visited numerous film locations, attended Twin Peaks events and conducted extensive historical research about this groundbreaking series. Along with fellow Bookhouse Boys, he dreams of creating a complete Twin Peaks Archive of the series and feature film. Steven currently resides in Central Florida.

    View all posts

One thought on “Setting the Stage – Big Ed’s Gas Farm Exteriors

  1. well i own the building! we are putting up a sign for twin peaks days soon. stay tuned. i can’t fix your truck but if you want to learn to mountain bike or gravel bike we can hook you up!

    The Line Experience- formerly Big Ed’s Gas Farm

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Top