Co-creator Mark Frost revealed that finding the perfect setting for the fictional town of Twin Peaks was a near-miracle, happening just in time after days of scouting. The towns of Snoqualmie and North Bend in Washington perfectly matched the script's requirements. This discovery helped bring the iconic series to life, blending small-town drama with supernatural elements.
Background on the Search
Mark Frost and David Lynch faced challenges in locating the ideal backdrop for their ensemble drama 'Twin Peaks,' which centered on a small town's interconnected stories. As Frost explained in The Guardian's oral history of the show, the pilot script specified key elements like a hotel next to a waterfall, a picturesque train station, a sheriff's department, a high school, and a diner. After five discouraging days scouting near Seattle, they were ready to give up.
The Last-Minute Discovery
On the final day, the location manager suggested a spot 'a little out of the way.' The next day, Frost and the team drove to Snoqualmie and North Bend, where 'every single thing in the script was right there,' Frost said. 'It was spooky. We had just imagined a town that already existed.' This eleventh-hour find allowed production to proceed, capturing the eerie, picturesque essence that defined the series.
Origins of the Town's Name and Inspirations
The name 'Twin Peaks' emerged casually during planning. Frost and Lynch sketched a town map on a coffee shop placemat, featuring two mountains, leading Frost to suggest the name. The story's focus on a teenage murder in a seemingly idyllic town drew from Frost's childhood experience of a girl's murder at age 14. Lynch added supernatural and dreamlike elements, while the ensemble format echoed classics like the 1957 film 'Peyton Place,' which explored dark secrets in a small community.
Legacy of the Show
'Twin Peaks' premiered in 1990, becoming a cultural phenomenon that revolutionized television before its 1991 cancellation. Frost and Lynch returned for a 2017 revival, revisiting the iconic town to conclude unfinished arcs. The real locations continue to draw fans, embodying the show's blend of mystery and strangeness.