Despite having visited a number of Twin Peaks locations, there are certain spots that I will never visit unless a time machine is created. One of those spots is from the Pilot episode where Bobby Briggs is questioned by Sheriff Truman and Deputies Hawk and Brennan in the Twin Peaks High School library. This location no longer exists as the entire Mount Si High School was modernized with completely new buildings a few years ago. Thankfully, I found some details about this spot courtesy of the Snoqualmie Valley History Museum.
WHERE IS THE TWIN PEAKS HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY LOCATED?
For the Pilot episode, Mount Si High School served as the film location for Twin Peaks High School. Located at 8651 Meadowbrook Way SE in Snoqualmie, Washington, the high school was used as the exterior establishing shot in the first two seasons. Several interior scenes were also shot here including scenes in the hallway, classroom, courtyard, reception lobby and the library.
In 1944, four different school districts were reorganized in the Snoqualmie Valley which prompted the need for a central high school. In January 1948, the local school board proposed and passed a bond issue to start financing for a new school.
Contracted on April 1, 1952, construction crews began laying foundation for what would become the new Mount Si High School. In the years that followed, additional buildings were added including the shop, cafeteria and gymnasium. On November 17, 1957, the new school was dedicated during a special ceremony.
The establishing shot of the school’s exterior was part of the original building from the 1950s. See how the entry doors match in the two images above.
As the population of Snoqualmie Valley grew coupled with continued flooding from the nearby Snoqualmie River, there was a need for a bigger and more modern high school. The original high school closed on June 14, 2019, with demolition beginning on July 5. By the time I returned to Snoqualmie, Washington in September 2019, most of the original buildings had been torn down. I grabbed this shot of the remaining exterior through a chain-link fence.
Driving by the school today, you would never believe that this 1950s building existed in the same spot. The modern new school is gorgeous with buildings that are raised up to protect from flooding. According to NAC Architecture who designed the new buildings, the school is elevated in every sense of the word:
Mount Si High School’s new campus is elevated in every sense of the word: educationally, experientially, and literally. The campus nests in a valley defined by two mountains and the Snoqualmie River, which creates a floodway. Responding to these natural conditions, the school is elevated above flood levels, not only safeguarding the facility but also maximizing views of the mountain range. By weaving in social and informal learning spaces at a variety of scales, the design honors individual and group activities equally.
TWIN PEAKS HIGH SCHOOL LIBRARY
The library seen in the Pilot episode was opened for the 1978-79 thanks to a federal grant.
Construction started in mid-spring 1978 and was completed three weeks after the school year began that fall. The enlarged facility was spacious and students could find things easier.
Mr. Gerard Rene was the librarian at the time and he would be the same library when the Pilot scenes were shot on Saturday, March 4, 1989.
The revised first draft script from December 8, 1988 has the interrogation scene with the Twin Peaks Sheriff’s Department and Bobby Briggs taking place in the Principal’s office. At this time, Deputy Hawk was known as Bernie Hill, a black deputy with Sheriff’s Truman’s squad.
INT. PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE – MORNING
CUT TO:
The told State Troopers enter the office. Bobby is seated in the middle of the room. Surrounded by Deputy Andy Brennan, a second deputy, a black man, BERNIE HILL, and the School Principal, GEORGE WOLCHEZK, a stolid, pale, balding man, mid- fifties.
Most likely, the actual Principal’s office at Mount Si High School was too small to accommodate the film crew and actors so they switched to the library.
In the background of this scene you can see a ramp that led up to the library. A view from the opposite direction was found in the Mount Si High School yearbook – the Tenas Coma – in 1984 (see picture #2).
The camera rotates around the trip as Sheriff Harry Truman enters the frame. The scripted dialogue is nearly the same as it was broadcast.
As Mrs. Jackson (Dorothy Roberts) tells Principal George Wolchezk (Troy Evans) to make an announcement, you can see a card catalog to the right of the screen.
According to fellow Bookhouse Boy Karl Reinsch, Mr. Rene told him that the desk where Principal Wolchezk sits is actually his desk!
The card catalog has been in the library for years as seen in this Tenas Coma yearbook photo from 1980.
THE MISSING FLAG IN THE BACKGROUND
As Principal Wolchezk and Mrs. Jackson leave, I noticed something missing in the background. I’ve lost count the number of times I’ve watched the Pilot episode since October 1993. I never noticed the missing flag until I was examining behind the scenes and publicity photos from this scene.
I first noticed it with this behind-the-scenes shot of David Lynch giving direction to Dana Ashbrook and Michael Ontkean. Look below Ontkean’s chin.
Now compare this publicity shot to the broadcast version – notice the Confederate flag is present.
A publicity shot from later in this scene gives a better look at the flag.
The flag display had been in the library since at least the 1982-83 school year. The Confederate Flag was positioned next to the Texas state flag and were examples of various flags once seen in the United States. I figured out the phrase above the Confederate Flag but looking at the Blu-ray version of the Pilot but I don’t have it with me today so I’ll need to update the article later.
For whatever reason, the flag was removed for the take used in the Pilot episode. It wasn’t digitally removed. My gut tells me that the bright red color was a background distraction more than it being a commentary on the flag (just look at Ben Horne’s U.S. Civil War storyline from season two).
TRUMAN TELLS BOBBY THE NEWS ABOUT LAURA
The scene continues with Sheriff Truman informing Bobby Briggs about Laura Palmer’s death.
He soon realizes what is happening and gets defensive. Look in the distance and you’ll spot a poster of a whale tail.
That whale tail poster would remain in the library years after the scene was shot as seen in image is from the 1996 Tenas Coma yearbook. I have yet to identify the poster yet it certainly looks like something that belongs in a library.
A publicity shot from this scene has Principal Wolchezk in the background, so this image was most likely captured during a rehearsal.
As Bobby stands, we get a look at the second globe on the bookcase (most likely a celestial globe from the 1950s – I identified it a few years ago and can’t find my notes!).
The scripted scene ends with the Principal making the intercom announcement while everyone was in his office. In the broadcast version he shares the news from the actual Mount Si High School intercom system (their mascot is the Wildcats, or “Cats” as seen on the unit).
Andy leads Bobby out of the room. Wolchezk nods. Goes to the public address system microphone behind his desk. Picks up the microphone. Flips on the system. Collects himself.
WOLCHEZK
May I have your attention please… may I have your attention… this is Principal Wolchezk…
The Mount Si High School library would be modified again in 1997, making this film location one of the more rare spots to visit since none of it exists today.
Thank you to Snoqualmie Valley History Museum for having scanned the Tenas Coma yearbooks. If you like stories like this one, consider donating to the museum as they do a wonderful job preserving the history of this beautiful area.
