Hill Valley (Back to the Future)

The set of the Hill Valley courthouse at the Universal Studios backlot

Hill Valley is a fictional California town that serves as the setting of the Back to the Future trilogy and its animated spin-off series. In the trilogy, Hill Valley is seen in four different time periods (1885, 1955, 1985 and 2015) as well as in a dystopian alternate 1985. In addition to the main plot, the films contain many sight gags, verbal innuendos and detailed set design elements, from which a detailed and consistent history of the area can be derived.

The name "Hill Valley" is itself a joke, being an oxymoron. However, an early script for Back to the Future Part II mentioned that Hill Valley was named after its founder, William Hill. The name is also strikingly similar to that of Mill Valley, a real city in California.

Shooting locations

For Back to the Future, the producers considered filming the town square scenes in the real city of Petaluma, California, but soon realized it would be prohibitively expensive and impractical to alter a real place to suit the different eras. Instead they filmed it on the Universal Studios backlot, where they had more control. The main location, known as Courthouse Square, already existed and had been previously used for many films and television shows. The Hill Valley courthouse can also be found in the movies Bruce Almighty, Gremlins, Sneakers, The Offspring's music video "Why Don't You Get a Job?" and even in an episode of Buffy The Vampire Slayer. The clock tower itself, however, was a removable addition to the existing Courthouse building, one of many ways in which the structure has been redressed over the years to suit the needs of a production. Prior to Back to the Future, the backlot location was called Mockingbird Square, a reference to the 1962 film To Kill a Mockingbird.

• The Universal Studios Backlot location: google maps, Live Local

Many of the cars that appear in the 2015 scenes are either modified for the film or concept cars. Examples include Ford Probe, Saab EV-1, Citroën DS 21, Pontiac Banshee Concept and Pontiac Fiero. Cars reused from other science fiction films include the "Star Car" from The Last Starfighter (1984) and a "Spinner" from Bladerunner (1982). Griff's car is a modified BMW convertible.

For Back to the Future Part III, Hill Valley 1885 was filmed in Sonora, California. The producers were able to use the land rent free as long as they left the buildings there. They agreed to leave everything except the Clock Tower. Interestingly, on August 10, 1996, a lightning bolt struck the town and it burned down. An arson fire on the Universal Studios Hollywood backlot on November 6, 1990 had previously destroyed much of Courthouse Square, the setting in which all the other time periods were filmed. However, the Courthouse itself survived the devastation. Another backlot fire on September 6, 1997 again damaged Courthouse Square. In both cases, the backlot facades were then rebuilt. The Sonora location was not rebuilt. In addition, a February 14, 1999 fire at Whittier High School, California, where some (mostly exterior) scenes were filmed, destroyed the old men's gym there.

Other real-life shooting locations of Hill Valley landmarks include the following:

• Doc's house in 1955 is the Gamble House in Pasadena, California.
• Twin Pines Mall is actually the Puente Hills Mall, located in Industry, California.
• Marty's Lyon Estates house in 1985 is actually on Roslyndale Avenue in Panorama City, California.
• Peabody's Twin Pines Ranch is really at Golden Oaks Ranch, which is owned by The Walt Disney Company and used in many Disney productions.
• The houses of George McFly and Lorraine Baines in 1955 are both in South Pasadena, California.
• The train hit the De Lorean and the Futuristic Train was parked in Port Hueneme, California.

History

Main article: Back to the Future timeline

The following information is taken directly from places and events shown or mentioned in the three films:

Early settlement

The town of Hill Valley was first settled in 1850 and was incorporated in 1865 . By the 1880s, it was connected by railroad to San Francisco. Construction of a new county courthouse was well underway in 1885, the year a new clock was dedicated for the building. The Shonash Ravine Bridge was completed in the Summer of 1886, around the same time the ravine was renamed the Eastwood Ravine Bridge (or Clayton Ravine Bridge, depending upon which timeline one focuses upon).

Rise and fall of town square

The area around the courthouse was developed in the following seventy years and by the 1950s had become the downtown of Hill Valley. A grass-covered town square was built in front of the courthouse, while stores, theatres and cafés opened on the surrounding streets. On Saturday, November 12 1955, at 10:04 p.m. PST, lightning struck the courthouse's clock tower, freezing the clock at 10:04. The clock was never repaired and as it became a landmark of Hill Valley over the years, it was preserved in its non-functional state by the Hill Valley Preservation Society. Also when Doc fell off the ledge of the clock tower part of the ledge broke away, this was never repaired either and the damage can easily be seen when Marty returns to 1985 and in 2015 but not in the Alternate 1985.

A few decades later, many of the town square businesses moved or closed down. The new businesses which replaced them included a second-hand shop and an adult book store. The courthouse fell into a state of disrepair, while at night at least one homeless person (called "Red" by Marty) slept on the town square park benches. To accommodate the growing need for parking space, the grassy park outside of the courthouse was converted into a parking lot. "That was always one of the major elements of the story even in its earliest incarnation," screenwriter Bob Gale says in The Making of Back to the Future, "was to take a place and show what happens to it over a period of thirty years. What happened to everybody's home town is obviously the same thing. They built the mall out in the boonies, and killed all the business downtown, and everything changed."

By the 21st century, the downtown area had experienced a revival as the courthouse was converted into the Courthouse Mall. Businesses began to move back into and around the town square and the parking lot was converted into a pond. The clock on top of the courthouse was still preserved at 10:04.

Signs that say "Welcome to Hill Valley" are seen in 1955, 1985 and 2015. Both 1955 and 2015 signs have symbols representing the Rotary, Kiwanis and Lions clubs. In addition, the 1955 sign has the logos of the YMCA, Jaycees, and Future Farmers of America while the 2015 sign has those of the Neighborhood Crime Watch eye logo and the 4-H Club clover logo. The "Welcome to Hill Valley" sign in 1985 does not contain any signage representing any clubs and mentions the name of the Mayor, Goldie Wilson. In the alternate 1985 Marty is seen walking over the sign, which has been knocked down an 'E' has been spray painted over the 'I' in Hill Valley making the name Hell Valley. This sign does not display the name of the mayor but instead the words "A Nice Place to Live" as also seen in 1955.

Alternate history

In Back to the Future Part II, a nightmarish alternate history of Hill Valley is depicted. Due to the influence of the powerful and corrupt Biff Tannen, gambling was legalized in 1979. Tannen's toxic waste reclamation plants were built downtown, polluting the air and leading to pollution alerts to be issued. All of the local businesses in the downtown area closed or relocated and were replaced with strip clubs and brothels. Tannen also bought off the police. Consequently, crime increased and biker gangs settled in the city. Hill Valley's public school burned down and the courthouse was converted into Biff Tannen's Pleasure Paradise Casino and Hotel. The clock on the courthouse still remains at 10:04.

Location

The films establish Hill Valley as being located in Northern California, 12 miles east of Grass Valley, and with railway links to San Francisco. The main problem with this location is that when Doc and Marty arrive back in Hill Valley at 6:00 AM on November 12, 1955 in Back to the Future Part II, Doc states that sunrise is 22 minutes away. This is consistent with the actual time of sunrise for Los Angeles, California on that date (6:22 AM PST). Further evidence against Hill Valley being located in Northern California, particularly the Grass Valley area, is provided by the time of sunrise on that date for that locale (6:43 AM PST). U.S. Route 395 passes through Hill Valley with a directional route shield posted near the Town Square, also indicating a nearby U.S. Route 8. Hill Valley's Courthouse Square is located directly below Skyway C12 in the year 2015, which leads to Phoenix, Arizona, Boston, Massachusetts, and London, England. The town is nestled in rolling foothills, with an apparently temperate, albeit semi-arid climate, and, according to Back to the Future III, although there is a desert within walking distance of the town, the nearby lake freezes over in the winter.

Recurring places

Many family businesses are passed down from generation to generation in Hill Valley. As a result, the city changes but remains similar from one generation to the next, as businesses are updated but rarely change. These recurring elements were a deliberate choice on the part of the filmmakers. The production designer of Back to the Future Part II, Rick Carter, is quoted in a DVD extra as saying, "The future is built on the present." Director Robert Zemeckis adds that the continuity between the different eras in Hill Valley's history is an example of the adage, "the more things change, the more they stay the same".

The following is a list of such places. When a place is not seen or mentioned in a movie, it is marked unknown.

1885

File:ClockTower1885.PNG

The Courthouse and Clock Tower, still under construction on Thursday, September 3, 1885

Some buildings shown in 1885 scenes are actually located further down the street in an area not shown in the first 2 movies.

1. Hill Valley Courthouse & Clock Tower (under construction)
2. Nothing
3. Nothing
4. Honest Joe Statler's Fine Horses (in different location this spot actually empty)
5. Wells Fargo & Co
6. Nothing
7. Building under construction
8. Nothing
9. Nothing
10. Nothing
11. Nothing
12. Unknown
13. Unknown
14. Marshal's Office
15. Palace Saloon
16. Unknown
17. Unknown
18. Unknown
19. Livery and Feed Stable
20. Building under construction
21. Hill Valley Telegraph
22. A. Jones Manure Handling
23. Unknown
24. Nothing
25. Nothing
26. Sheriff
27. Hill Valley School

1955

File:ClockTower1955.PNG

The Clock Tower is struck by lightning at 10:04 P.M. on Saturday, November 12, 1955.

1. Hill Valley Courthouse
2. Town Theater
3. Holt's Diner
4. Statler Studebaker
5. Ruth's Frock Shop
6. Jacobson & Field Attorneys at Law
7. Western Auto Stores
8. Bluebird Motel
9. Elite Barber Shop
10. Hill Valley Stationeers
11. Zale's Jewlers
12. J.D. Armstrong Realty
13. Ask Mr. Foster Travel Service
14. Bank of America
15. Lou's Cafe
16. Roys Record Store
17. Texaco full-service station
18. Hal's Bike Shop
19. Lawerence BLDG
20. Essex Theater (as a mainstream movie house)
21. Hill Valley Telegraph
22. D. Jones Manure Handling
23. Twin Pines Ranch
24. Lyon Estates (under development)
25. Nothing
26. Hill Valley Police Department
27. Hill Valley High School

1985

File:ClockTower1985.PNG

The aging courthouse and non-functional Clock Tower on Friday, October 25, 1985

1. Hill Valley Courthouse - Department of Social Services
2. Town Theater (as a church)
3. Elmo's Rib
4. Statler Toyota
5. Goodwill Industries
6. Empty (entrance now barred up)
7. Empty Store (Displaying Re-Elect Mayor Goldie Wilson Signage)
8. Empty Store (formally Motel now displaying "Out of Business" Sign)
9. Empty Store (Sign on window saying "We Moved to Twin Pines Mall")
10. Cupid's Adult Book Store
11. Abrams Brokerage Corporation
12. Loans
13. Ask Mr. Foster Travel Service
14. Bank of America
15. Lou's Fitness Aerobics Center
16. The Third Eye
17. Texaco gas station
18. Hog Heaven
19. Broadway Florist
20. Essex Theater (as an adult movie house showing "Orgy, American Style")
21. Hill Valley Telegraph
22. Unknown
23. Twin Pines Mall (becomes Lone Pine Mall after Marty knocks down a tree in 1955)
24. Lyon Estates
25. Hilldale (under development)
26. Hill Valley Police Department
27. Hill Valley High School

Alternate 1985

File:ClockTower1985A.PNG

The courthouse was converted into a casino by Biff Tannen in the alternate Saturday, October 26, 1985.

1. Biff Tannen's Pleasure Paradise Casino & Hotel
2. Biffco Toxic Waste Reclamation Plant
3. DeeDee Delight BAR
4. Adult Toys
5. Tanya Errotic Sex Goddess
6. Bad Rap Bail Bonds
7. SAGE
8. Video Nude Hardcore Movies
9. Unknown
10. Hell Hole XXX
11. Unknown
12. Unknown
13. Unknown
14. Naughty XXX
15. Unknown
16. Unknown
17. Unknown
18. Unknown
19. Unknown
20. Unknown
21. Unknown (Hill Valley Telegraph still in operation but most likely in a new location)
22. Unknown
23. Unknown
24. Lyon Estates
25. Unknown
26. Hill Valley Police Department (owned by Biff)
27. Hill Valley High School (burned down 6 years earlier)

2015

1. Hill Valley Courthouse Mall
2. Hill Valley Theater (closed)
3. Fusion Bar
4. Statler Pontiac Sales and Hover Conversions
5. Hill Valley Gifts
6. Simulex
7. Sight Sound and Mind
8. Mr Perfect All Natural Steroids
9. Flying High Kite Store
10. Eclipse - Contemporary & Traditional Lighting Store
11. Pizza Hut
12. True Blues
13. Uniglobe Travel
14. Hill Valley Transit (Second floor advertising Goldie Wilson Hover Conversions)
15. Cafe 80's
16. Blast From The Past Antique Store
17. 7-Eleven (first floor) and Texaco automated Havoline station (second floor)
18. The Bot Shoppe
19. Hill Valley Surrogate Parenting Center
20. Holomax Theater
21. Unknown (building displaying Skyway Information)
22. Unknown
23. Unknown
24. Unknown
25. Hilldale
26. Hill Valley Police Department
27. Unknown

Unique places

Despite Hill Valley's notable consistency, many businesses do appear and disappear over the years, as their services begin being needed or become obsolete. The following is a list of businesses that have no known equivalent in other time periods.

1885

• Wells Fargo & Co.
• Marshal's office
• General Mercantile
• Gunsmith
• Bath House
• Dress Maker
• Undertaking
• Cabinet Maker
• Meat Market
• Blacksmith

1955

• Hill Valley Stationers
• Armstrong Realty
• Louis Watch Maker
• Gaynor's Hideaway
• Roy's Records
• Elite Barber
• Blue Bird Motel
• Western Auto
• Hal's Bike Shop

1985

• Dept. of Social Services
• Cupid's Adult Book Store
• Goodwill Industries
• The Third Eye
• Hog Heaven
• Broadway Florist
• Burger King
• Toys "R" Us
• JCPenney (in the mall)
• Robinson's (in the mall)
• Fox Photo (mall parking lot)

Alternate 1985

• Biffco Realty
• Biffco Nuclear Power Plant

2015

• Blast From the Past
• Simulex
• True Blues
• Eclipse - Contemporary & Traditional Lighting Store
• Flying High - A Kite Store
• Hill Valley Surrogate Parenting Center
• Bottoms Up: A Plastic Surgery Franchise
• The Bot Shoppe
• Mr. Perfect All Natural Steroids
• Luxor Taxi Cab Co.
• Hill Valley Transit
• Hill Valley Gifts
• Hyatas Japanese Market
• USA Today Hill Valley Edition
• Wilson Hover Conversions

See also

• Back to the Future
• Back to the Future trilogy

External links

• The Back to the Future Tour
• Movie Locations Guide.com: Back to the Future filming locations
• Back to Hill Valley - Back to the Future
• We Love Hill Valley, Hill Valley's Online Newsletter