The Real Packard Sawmill

Above, the Snoqualmie Falls Lumber Company in the 1940's. Below, a shot from the Twin Peaks pilot, filmed from the same angle, but closer-up.

The Snoqualmie Falls Lumber Co., constructed in 1917, was the second all-electric mill operation in the country. From 1990 to 1992, it doubled as the Packard Sawmill in Twin Peaks. Just two months after it was shot for the pilot episode, the mill was partially dismantled and downsized. Below, and excerpt from Lynch on Lynch about the mill.
Lucky they filmed it when they did! Future scenes of the interior were shot on sets built in L.A.. The remnants of the mill are now listed with the state of Washington as a highly endangered historic property. Below, an image from 1957 of the sawmill at quitting time.The building used as the Twin Peaks Sheriff's Department is actually the sawmill's office, located on a ridge just above the mill. (See: The Real Sheriff's Department)
Incidentally, you can see one of the sawmill's smokestacks whiz by in the background as Agent Cooper first drives into Twin Peaks, shown below.
BACK TO INTWINPEAKS.COM...