Ah, good old alternate 1985. After Marty and Doc come back from the future and drop of Jennifer, and just after Marty is chased out of what he thinks is his house, he runs up a street alongside the school and sits down on a porch to pick up a newspaper (to check the date). As you probably remember, Alternate Mr. Strickland shoves a shotgun into Marty's face, tells him the school was burned down years ago, and was just about to make Marty into a eunuch, when he was interrupted by a drive-by shooting.

Well, BTTFtour.com is proud to tell you that the house survived the attack intact, and is safe and sound in Whittier, California, right next to the real-life high school used for the films. At first, one might not recognize this as being the right location, as the porch looks much different than it did at the time of filming. It was probably changed just after the film's release, as Whittier High school is no more than fifty yards away, and the owner's probably didn't want any "slackers" taking their own newspapers! (Note the gap in the foundation from the old steps!). You can tell from the comparison shots below that little else has changed. I didn't recognize the house myself the first time I saw it, but after carefully reviewing the scene on the DVD, I concluded this must, indeed be the right place. The Location Manager for BTTFII later confirmed this for me. (Thanks MJ Burmeister!)

When visiting this location, make sure to come in daylight, as this neighborhood seems to go back and forth with various crime problems from year to year. Not only that, but come between 3 and 5 if possible, as school will be out and it doesn't look strange. People can get weird these days if they see anyone near a school for any reason.

I have friends who actually grew up going to Whittier High School, although they don't remember any filming, since all of it was done on Christmas & then Spring break. Still, though I'm constantly in the neighborhood, I always managed to miss this location, because I didn't notice that the background of the shot showing Marty approach the house was the side of the High School gymnasium until years later. Now, however, in the DVD version of Back to the Future part II there is a great deleted scene of Marty looking at the burned down High School that fits in just before he gets to Mr. Strickland's house.

Make sure not to sit on this porch. Most likely you will have a similar experience to Marty... if you know what I mean.