One-story house with a white fence

Twin Peaks Location – Twin Peaks High School in Season Two

In season two of Twin Peaks, there are three episodes – 2.010, 2.011, and 2.012 – with scenes inside Twin Peaks High School. Unlike the high schools seen 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.

WHERE IS TWIN PEAKS HIGH SCHOOL FROM TWIN PEAKS SEASON TWO LOCATED?

Google Maps
Google Maps

Scenes for these episodes were filmed at Van Nuys High School, located at 6535 Cedros Ave, Van Nuys, California. Episode 2.010 aired on December 8, 1990 which means they may have shot footage in November (perhaps during Thanksgiving break).

Google Maps
Google Maps

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?

Twin Peaks High School students in the gym
Episode 2.012

In episode 2.012, 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 first two seasons. 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

Assistant Principal behind desk
Episode 2.010

Episode 2.010 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.

2010
Episode 2.010
2010
Episode 2.010

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.

2010
Episode 2.010

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

Stairwell in a school
Episode 2.011

We return to the school in episode 2.011 with a scene that takes place in a hallway with stairs and lockers.

Van Nuys High School
Van Nuys High School
Van Nuys High School
Van Nuys High School

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.

Nadie and Donna talking by yellow lockers
Episode 2.011

Nadine Butler Hurley approaches Donna Hayward who is standing by her yellow school locker.

Nadine and Donna speaking in the school hall
Episode 2.011
Mike Nelson walking down a hallway
Episode 2.011
Nadine watches Mike Nelson walk away
Episode 2.011
Donna Hayward by yellow lockers
Episode 2.011

Mike Nelson passes by as Nadine and Donna speak about relationships.

Van Nuys High School
Van Nuys High School

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.

Nadine approaching Donna
Episode 2.011

Like the lockers at the actual high school, they are stacked three high in the episode.

Nadine walking by students
Episode 2.011

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.

Donna Hayward walking down the hall
Episode 2.012

More proof of this location can be found in episode 2.012 when Donna visits her locker again.

Donna Hayward at yellow lockers as Mike Nelson approaches
Episode 2.012

As Mike Nelson approaches Donna, we get a better look at the floor. Notice the door Mike walks by.

Fast Times at Ridgemont High
Fast Times at Ridgemont High. Image from San Fernando Valley Blog

The door looks similar to one seen in Fast Times at Ridgemont High which was confirmed to have been filmed inside the school.

Mike Nelson speaking with Donna Hayward by yellow lockers
Episode 2.012
Donna Hayward speaking to Mike Nelson by yellow lockers
Episode 2.012
Mike Nelson following Donna Hayward in a hallway
Episode 2.012
Mike Nelson in a hallway
Episode 2.012

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 AT TWIN PEAKS HIGH SCHOOL

Mike Nelson lifting weights
Episode 2.011

Mike Nelson is shown lifting weights in episode 2.011.

Nadine speaking with Mike Nelson in the weight room
Episode 2.011

Nadine drops by to chat during his workout.

Coach Wingate walking through weight room
Episode 2.011
Coach Wingate walking through weight room
Episode 2.011

Coach Buck Wingate (played by Ron Taylor) enters the weight room and spots Nadine’s superhuman strength.

Van Nuys High School
Van Nuys High School courtesy of LocoScout.com

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.

GYMNASIUM AT TWIN PEAKS HIGH SCHOOL

Google Maps
Google Maps

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.

Twin Peaks High School wrestling team in gym
Episode 2.012

Here’s unedited image of the wrestling team that helped me identify this spot.

Van Nuys High School
Van Nuys High School courtesy of Nik Mansoor

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!

Nadine and Mike wrestling as Coach Wingate and team looks on
Episode 2.012

It appears the wooden beams have been painted white. Yet the lights, the ceiling vents and the doors appear to match.

Mike Nelson sitting in bleachers with team
Episode 2.012

Mike Nelson was shown sitting on the bleachers before being called to wrestle Nadine by Coach Wingate.

Van Nuys High School gym
Van Nuys High School courtesy of Nik Mansoor

Here are the bleachers from Van Nuys High School.

Nadine and Mike wrestling as Coach Wingate and team looks on
Episode 2.012

Another look at the bleachers from the episode.

Nadine and Mike wrestling as Coach Wingate and team looks on
Episode 2.012

A Steeplejacks sign is seen in the background along with other looks at the ceiling, scoreboard, doors and more.

Van Nuys High School gym
Van Nuys High School courtesy of Nik Mansoor

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 2.012. You can see a part of the floor logo when Mike is thrown by Nadine.

Coach Wingate speaking in gym
Episode 2.012
Coach Wingate and Nadine Butler Hurley
Episode 2.012
Mike Nelson, Coach Wingate and Nadine Butler Hurley in gym
Episode 2.012
Mike and Nadine wrestling as Coach Wingate looks on
Episode 2.012
Mike Nelson laying down on the gym mat
Episode 2.012
Mike Nelson laying down on the gym mat
Episode 2.012

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.

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