David Lynch and Mark Frost’s Twin Peaks celebrates 30 years on April 8, 2020. Two years ago, I published an article examining the iconic “Welcome to Twin Peaks” sign. Since that time, my research for TwinPeaksBlog.com has become even more in depth, especially for the many film location in Washington State and southern California. Today, I’m looking at where one of my favorite ABC promos from 1990 was shot. Like many things I discuss on this blog, this location is filled with mysteries to uncover.
We begin our journey with the 21-second ABC television promo that includes a logging truck passing the welcome sign. Most likely, this television advertisement was used during the week before the Pilot episode aired on Sunday night, April 8, 1990.
Please note that YouTube has blocked this video in 248 territories because of a copyright claim by Paramount Global. I’m glad they blocked a 21-second commercial for a television show that aired nearly 35 years ago on a dedicated fan website that makes ZERO money and is only trying to archive and document a beloved television show because they certainly won’t do it.
WHERE IS THE ALTERNATE WELCOME TO TWIN PEAKS SIGN SPOT LOCATED?
The spot where this promo was shot is on Reinig Road in Snoqualmie, Washington. The approximate coordinates are 47°31’30.8″N 121°47’00.5″W.
The spot is on the opposite side of the road where we find the “Welcome to Twin Peaks” sign seen in the series and film. That sign is located at 41433 SE Reing Road in Snoqualmie, Washington.
I visited Reinig Road twice within the past year – September 14, 2019 and January 24, 2020. The road was named after Leonard and Margaretha Reinig who settled in the region around 1890. They opened the first bakery in Seattle, and operated the Reinig Brothers Store in Snoqualmie. I love how the road literally looks different from fall to winter as you’ll see below.
ABC SPECIAL PREVIEW COMMERICAL
The short promo opens with a logging truck in the distance that is slowly approaching the camera. Most likely, the crew used a long lens to shoot the truck’s approach. I believe I should have been down the road even further than I was in January 2020.
I returned in August 27, 2023 to attempt a better long-lens shot of the road.
THE LOGGING TRUCK IN THE ABC SPECIAL PREVIEW COMMERCIAL
The logging truck then whizzes by the camera. Eagle eye fans may recognize this truck which is used later in the series.
The truck returns in Episode 2001 as we see it pass by the Double R Diner (Twede’s Cafe in North Bend, Washington). The logging truck – a 1972 Kenworth W-900 A – was owned by Littlejohn Logging, Inc. It appears the company today may be known as NorthFork Enterprises, Inc., established by Clayton Littlejohn, “who has been in the logging business for more than 30 years.”
Here’s a full image of the truck which I stitched together in Photoshop.
A Littlejohn truck is also see in The Missing Pieces when Tommy relieves himself in the parking lot outside The Power and the Glory bar. It’s great to see a local Snoqualmie Valley business featured in both the series and film.
SEASONS AND LANDSCAPES CHANGE AT THE ALTERNATE SIGN SPOT
Here is Reinig Road as seen on September 14, 2019 and January 24, 2020, or as I like to call it Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me versus Twin Peaks Pilot episode.
You can easily see why the former was shot in September and October versus February and March. When I visited in January, it rained every day I was in town. In September, hardly any rain except for my birthday when it rained all day while I was visiting Olallie State Park. Yet I love both looks and would gladly visit this spot every day if I could.
The area, however, looks different in 2024 thanks to a revetment project along Reinig Road that helped reinforce and protect the road when the Snoqualmie River floods. The power lines were relocated and several trees along the road were removed.
THE ALTERNATE WELCOME TO TWIN PEAKS SIGN
As the truck passes the camera, we see the “Welcome to Twin Peaks” sign which appears to be the same one used in the series.
Here are two shots – September 2019 and January 2020 – where the sign may have been placed. The wooden fence in the commercial is long gone in the area.
Here is a look around the area from a 2023 visit to the spot.
THE FENCE ALONG REINIG ROAD
Interestingly, we see the fence in the series. The first appearance is in the Pilot episode when a police car with siren blaring is speeding down the road past Bobby Briggs’ car.
The second appearance is in episode 2.007 when Deputy Hawk is on his way to check on Harold Smith. Based on the snow-covered mountains in the distance, the footage was most likely shot at or around the same time.
I would love to have a time machine to see this promo on broadcast television. I can only imagine the anticipation of what the show had in store for viewers.
I conclude with a short video from Reinig Road captured on September 14, 2019.
