Postcard – Snoqualmie Falls by Wayne Fredeen – C25541

I recently created a dedicated page for my ever-grown postcard collection. As a Deltiologist (someone who collects and studies postcard), I particularly enjoy finding postcards from the real Twin Peaks of Snoqualmie Valley, Washington. A popular subject from this region is the magnificent and sacred Snoqualmie Falls. This postcard published by C.J. Johnston Company using an aerial photograph by Wayne Fredeen shows both the Snoqualmie Lodge and 268-foot waterfall along with the Snoqualmie Lumber Company in the distance. Fredeen has a unique connection to a film location seen during the first two season of Twin Peaks.

SNOQUALMIE FALLS BY WAYNE FREDEEN FOR C.J. JOHNSTON COMPANY – C25541

This aerial photo shows the former Snoqualmie Falls Lodge perched above a rather high-intensity flow of the Snoqualmie River over the 268-foot drop. In the distance, you can see the sprawling Snoqualmie Falls Lumber Company. The image is undated but based on landmarks, it most likely from the 1950s to the 1970s.

The card was published by Seattle-based C.P. Johnston Company. I found no information about the company other than numerous postcards of Seattle published between the early 1900s through the 1970s. One webpage said the company was a “defunct postcard manufacturer.” The company seemed pretty prolific as there were many cards containing images of buildings, landscapes and events including the Space Needle from the 1962 World’s Fair in Seattle.

The description on the back reads: “Snoqualmie Falls, 28 miles from Seattle, Washington at the foot of the Cascade Mountains. Situated left of the Falls is Snoqualmie Falls lodge from where one has a beautiful view of the falls and the valley.”

The catalog number is C25541 and the image has two “Color By” credits. The first is for Wayne Fradeen [sic] whom I assume took the waterfall image. The second credit goes to Mike Roberts of Berkeley, California. “Fradeen” should be spelled “Fredeen.”

WHO IS WAYNE FREDEEN?

Wayne Fredeen was born October 8, 1937 to Agnes and Lawrence “Butchy” Fredeen in Seattle and raised in Preston, Washington with his three siblings.

He graduated from Issaquah High School in 1955, and Washington State University in 1960, where he played the saxophone in the marching band and graduated with a B.S. in civil engineering. In 1963, Wayne took a six-month, 34-country trip around the world with his brother Mel.

Wayne spent much of his spare time helping out at his father’s grocery store.

“Butch” Fredeen built his grocery store in 1940 after receiving $800 and a month to relocate their business when the construction of Highway 10 forced them to move. They would end up operating Butchy’s Service Station & Grocery Store out of this storefront for nearly 40 years. My fellow author Vinnie Guidera shared some additional fun facts about this location at the Real Twin Peaks 2025 event.

Here is Butch in his general store in 1956 from a post I found on the Families From Preston Facebook page. If you don’t recognize the interior, you will most certainly know the exterior.

Butchy’s was the film location of Big Ed’s Gas Farm as seen in the first two seasons of Twin Peaks. Here is the location in September 2019 before it was occupied by Balloon Designers. The address is 8606 Preston-Fall City Road SE in Preston.

Since the 1980s, the former Butchy’s storefront has been home to a stone tile store, a windsock store, and a hydroponics shop.

Wayne shared this photo from 1956 of his father’s store. If you look carefully in the distance, you’ll see a home located across the street. This is where Butchy and Agnes lived with their son Wayne.

It’s the same house that was used as Ed and Nadine’s home exterior in Twin Peaks.

According to a post on the Families from Preston Facebook page on November 24, 2018, Lee Johnson took over Butchy’s around 1978-79 and renamed it the Preston General Store. The location operated it until 1987. The image above is from the Jane Nelson Collection and shows the location painted in a bright yellow compared to the white and red location seen in Twin Peaks.

According to Wayne’s obituary, he married the love of his life, Audrey Jensen of Lacey, Washington in 1965. He worked as a civil engineer for the Washington State Highway Department and then in insurance and estate planning (is it really all about insurance in Twin Peaks?!)

The couple moved to Fairbanks, Alaska, in 1975, during the construction of the trans-Alaska pipeline. They then relocated to Eagle River in 1977, and Wayne continued to work for Alyeska Pipeline for 20 years as a senior contracts engineer. Audrey and Wayne enjoyed 55 years together, traveling both internationally and domestically. They visited 48 states in their beloved RV, loved to fish and spend time at their Kenai River cabin, and enjoyed activities with family and friends.

Wayne’s love and skill of photography began quite young. He won a national contest from Boys Life Magazine and his photos were used by many organizations and publications throughout his life, including this postcard by C.J. Johnston Company.

He also enjoyed Swedish holiday foods, playing the accordion and spoiling his six grandchildren. He will be remembered for his sociable personality and sense of humor. Wayne was an active member of Joy Lutheran Church in Eagle River for over 40 years, a member of the Jaycees in his early years and, as a Rotarian, he helped lead the Alaska Youth Exchange Program.

On March 20, 2023, Wayne passed at the age of 85 at Providence Alaska Medical Center surrounded by his three children after a 15-month battle with cancer. A  memorial service was held on April 23, 2023, at Joy Lutheran Church in Eagle River, at 2:30 p.m. A graveside service was held in Preston during summer 2023, where Wayne was laid to rest next to his beloved wife Audrey who passed on August 31, 2020.