Twin Peaks Prop – Sheriff Truman’s U.S. President Trash Can

While recently searching for the Con-way Central Express (CCX) mug prop in various scenes taking place at the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Station, something caught my eye in Sheriff Truman’s office. We all know Truman’s name is reminiscent of the 33rd President of the United States, Harry S. Truman. It appears that his love of presidents extends to an oval-shaped trash can placed by his desk. This may be the most obscure prop I’ve identified to date.

SPOTTING SHERIFF TRUMAN’S U.S. PRESIDENT TRASH CAN

When searching for items, I carefully examine the details in various scenes. Despite having watched the show countless times since fall 1993, I’m still amazed I’m discovering new treasures. The trash can is first seen in Episode 2002 when Hank Jennings visits Truman to check in.

Ernie Niles and Sheriff Truman at the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department
2013

The very top of the can only appears one more time in Season 2.

Ernie Niles and Sheriff Truman at the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department
2013

In Episode 2013, Ernie Niles is having a wire attached by Deputy Hawk while Sheriff Truman cleans his rifle. The can is seen by the tan-colored filing cabinets.

On a whim, I decided to search for “oval trash can with US president pictures” and immediate found a match … sort of.

IDENTIFYING THE U.S. PRESIDENT TRASH CAN

Back U.S. President Trash Can
Back U.S. President Trash Can

We only see the back of the trash can in the episode which contains cameos of various presidents throughout history.

Side of U.S. President Trash Can
Side of U.S. President Trash Can

It appears that we see the side with Zachary Taylor found at the top next to John Tyler.

WEIBRO HOUSEWARES DIVISION

According to a logo stamped on the bottom of the can, it was manufactured by the Weibro Div. of J.L. Clark in the United States.

Twin Peaks Prop - Sheriff Truman's U.S. President Trash Can
Weibro Div. Logo

Headquartered in Rockford, Illinois, John Lewis Clark founded the J.L. Clark Manufacturing Co. in 1904. They were primarily known for “designing and manufacturing specialty metal and plastic packaging for a wide variety of consumer products customers.” At some point, they were sold to CLARCOR, Inc., a Tennessee-based company that primarily focused on filtration systems.

In 2015, J.L. Clark was sold to CC Industries, Inc (“CCI”), an affiliate of Chicago-based Henry Crown and Company. You can still visit their website today at JLClark.com.

I’ve been unable to located any specific info about the Weibro Housewares Division except they were once located at 3260 West Grand Avenue in Chicago, Illinois.

FRONT OF THE U.S. PRESIDENT TRASH CAN

Sadly, we never see the front of the prop which makes properly identifying it more of a challenge.

Twin Peaks Prop - Sheriff Truman's U.S. President Trash Can
Front of the Trash Can

I found at least three different examples of the trash can, probably manufactured between 1963 and 1977. One includes President Richard Nixon in the center cameo, flanked by Harry S. Truman and Dwight David Eisenhower.

Twin Peaks Prop - Sheriff Truman's U.S. President Trash Can
Additional Trash Can Examples

Additional examples include trash cans featuring Presidents Lyndon B. Johnson and Jimmy Carter. I’d like to believe that it was the Nixon trash can they used since he is referenced in Mark Frost’s “The Secret History of Twin Peaks.”

Twin Peaks Prop - Sheriff Truman's U.S. President Trash Can
Bottom and Inside of Trash Can

Here is a look at the bottom and inside of one of the trash cans.

HARRY S. TRUMAN

Pete Martell and Sheriff Truman Watching Birds
2008

Of course, the trash can isn’t the only nod to U.S. Presidents in Truman’s office. He has a framed image of his namesake hanging above the tan-colored filing cabinets.

Trumanlibrary.gov - President Harry S. Truman
Trumanlibrary.gov – Accession Number 58-486

This portrait of President Truman was taken in November 1945 by Frank Gatteri. The on-screen version is slightly cropped. I’m unsure what the plaque says but I’m guessing “President Harry S. Truman.”

Truman served as U.S. President from April 12, 1945 – January 20, 1953, after succeeding to the office upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt.

Trumanlibrary.gov - The Buck Stops Here
Tumanlibrary.gov – Accession Number 60-20-1

One of Truman’s most notable phrases was “The Buck Stops here!” It’s seen as a desktop sign in a photo from the Truman Library.

The Buck Stops Here Sign
Trumanlibrary.gov

According to the Presidential library, the sign was manufactured at the Federal Reformatory at El Reno, Oklahoma. Fred A. Canfil, then United States Marshal for the Western District of Missouri and a friend of Mr. Truman, saw a similar sign while visiting the Reformatory and asked the Warden if a sign like it could be made for President Truman. The sign was made and mailed to the President on October 2, 1945. The National Archives used to carry a replica sign you could order.

The Buck Stopped Here in Episode 2002

I share this information as on the opposite side of Truman’s office you’ll find a mounted deer head with a hanging sign that says “The Buck Stopped Here.” A nice nod to a familiar phrase uttered by Truman.

I also found video of President Truman explaining what his favorite phrase means. They are words that every United States President should hear and remember.

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