Hill Valley

Hill Valley, California, is the fictional setting for the Back to the Future trilogy of films. In addition to the main plot, the series of films are well-known for the many sight gags, verbal innuendos and detailed set design, from which fans attempt to reconstruct a detailed and consistent history and geography of the area. Much of the popularity of the series of films is due to the multiple times that fans may watch the films and still discover subtle gags that they hadn't noticed before.

Construction

For Back to the Future, the producers wanted to film the town square scenes in a real city. But they soon realized there would be to much work to convert the city to 1955, and decided to save money by filming it on the backlot, where they had more control.

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. They agreed to leave everything except the Clock Tower. Interestingly, in 1995 a lightning bolt struck the town and it burned down. The back lot in which all the other time periods were filmed also burnt down because of a security guard.

History

Note: The chronology of the Back to the Future Universe is non-linear. See Back to the Future timeline

Early settlement

The town of Hill Valley was first settled in 1850, and in 1865 became incorporated. By the 1880s, the railroads had reached the town and the small settlement was growing. The railway line goes to San Francisco, which is the end of the line. Construction of the courthouse began in 1885 and the Shonash Ravine Bridge was completed in 1887.

Rise and fall of town square

By the 1950s, the downtown area was in its heyday, with a grass-covered town square right in front of the courthouse. Business in the square was booming. On Saturday, November 12 1955, at 10:04 p.m. PST, lightning struck the clock tower, freezing the clock at 10:04, where it would stay for decades thanks to the efforts of the Hill Valley Preservation Society.

A few decades later, Twin Pines Mall opened on the edge of town, and a lot of the businesses relocated there. The town square went into a decline, as businesses were replaced with adult book stores and second hand shops.

By the 21st century, the downtown area struck back by converting the old courthouse into the Courthouse Mall. Businesses began moving back into and around town square, and the grassy park was converted into a pond. The clock on top of the courthouse is still stopped at 10:04.

Alternate history

In Back to the Future Part II, a nightmarish alternate history of Hill Valley is depicted. Thanks to the influence of the powerful and corrupt Biff Tannen, gambling was legalised in 1979 and the courthouse was converted into Biff Tannen's Pleasure Paradise Casino and Hotel. Tannen's toxic waste reclaimation plants were built right downtown, polluting the air. Tannen also bought off the police, which turned a blind eye as crime became rampant and biker gangs settled in the city.

Location

Hill Valley is located in Northern California, 12 miles east of Grass Valley, and with railway links to San Francisco. The town is nestled in rolling foothills, and (according to details in Back to the Future III), though 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. The following is a list of such places. When a place is not seen or mentioned in a movie, it is marked unknown.

1885

Hill Valley Courthouse & Clock Tower (under construction)
Palace Saloon
Nothing
Nothing
Unknown
Honest Joe Statler Fine Horses
Unknown
Nothing
Nothing
Unknown
A. Jones Manure Handling
Nothing

1955

Hill Valley Courthouse
Lou's Cafe
Town Theater
Essex Theater
Twin Pines Ranch
Statler Studebaker
Texaco full-service station
Lyon Estates (under development)
Nothing
Ask Mr. Foster Travel Service
D. Jones Manure Handling
Holt's Diner

1985

Hill Valley Courthouse
Lou's Fitness Aerobics Center
Assembly of Christ
Essex Theater
Twin Pines Mall (becomes Lone Pine Mall after Marty knocks down a tree in 1955)
Statler Toyota
Texaco gas station
Lyon Estates
Hilldale (under development)
Ask Mr. Foster Travel Service
Unknown
Elmo's Rib

Alternate 1985

Biff Tannen's Pleasure Paradise Casino & Hotel
Dee Dee Delight Bar
Biffco Toxic Waiste Reclaimation Plant
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Lyon Estates
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown
Unknown

2015

Hill Valley Courthouse Mall
Cafe 80's
Hill Valley Theater (closed)
Holomax Theater
Unknown
Statler Pontiac
7-Eleven (first floor) and Texaco automated Havoline station (second floor)
Unknown
Hilldale
Uniglobe Travel
Unknown
Fusion Bar

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 such places.