Roadhouse and Bookhouse under cloud-filled sky

Twin Peaks Location – Warden Dwight Murphy’s Office

Warden Murphy standing at a desk with Mr. C sitting in a chair

I’ve been exploring the various locations used for Yankton Federal Prison in Twin Peaks: The Return on Showtime.  This time, we stop by Warden Dwight Murphy’s office as seen in Part 7. Like several other scenes that take place in the prison, the office set is located at Sybil Brand Institute in Los Angeles, California.

WHERE IS WARDEN DWIGHT MURPHY’S OFFICE LOCATED?

Mr. C behind jail bars
Part 7

Located at 4500 City Terrace Drive in Los Angeles, California, this former women’s correctional facility operated from 1963-1997. It’s now primarily used as a film and television location.

After Mr. C is returned to his jail cell, he tells the guard that he needs to speak with Warden Murphy in his office about a strawberry.

Google Earth
Google Earth

According to Google Earth, Warden Murphy’s office is located near the visitor’s entrance at Sybil Brand Institute. The brick wall was one of the clues I used to identify the exact location.

CLOSER LOOK AT WARDEN MURPHY’S OFFICE

Warden Dwight Murphy standing at his desk
Part 7

The office scene opens with Warden Murphy standing behind his desk as Mr. C is escorted by two prison guards. These scenes were shot on November 24, 2015.

Empty office at Sybil Brand
Photo courtesy of Dan Cooley

Thanks to the internet, I found a matching location image complete with wood paneling!

Office with cabinets
Part 7
Mr. C being escorted by guards
Part 7

As the guards escort Mr. C to a green chair, we catch a glimpse of that red brick wall outside the office.

Empty office  at Sybil Brand
Photo courtesy of Dan Cooley

Another location photo revealed the other side of the office set. Notice the brick wall and part of the word “Visitor” on the wall.

Exterior of building with brick wall
LocoScout.com

LocoScout.com provided a better look at the visitors entrance which appears to match the other location image and episode screen cap.

Warden Murphy standing at his desk
Part 7
Warden Murphy standing at his desk with guards helping Mr. C get seated in a chair
Part 7

Warden Murphy watches as the guards place Mr. C in the green chair. They have an intense conversation about dog legs, Joe McClusky and the late Mr. Strawberry.

Mr. C sitting in a chair while guards secure him
Part 7
Mr. C sitting in a chair
Part 7
Warden Murphy holding a gun and standing behind his desk
Part 7
Mr. C sitting in a chair
Part 7
Warden Murphy sitting in a chair
Part 7
Mr. C sitting in a chair
Part 7

The conversation ends with Mr. C ensuring a car with “friend” in the glovebox was available for Ray Monroe and him at 1:00 a.m. Smooth and safe.

Of all the mysteries from Season 3 of Twin Peaks, I really would love to know more about Mr. Strawberry and Joe McClusky. Maybe one day…

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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