SALEM'S LOT - the 1979 original.

A pictorial look at the Californian filming locations to see if anything has changed in (almost) fifty years. Scenes from the 1979 television mini-series and the same locations photographed in June 2026. Apart from the icocnic house, everything is pretty much the same.

There have been other, more recent, film versions of Stephen King's 1975 bestselling novel, but for many, including myself, the 1979 mini-series directed by Tobe Hooper is still the best. Most people remember how scared they were when they first saw the infamous scene with the floating child at the bedroom window. The production began in July 1979 and was shot almost exclusively in the small town of Ferndale in Northern California - some 260 miles up the coast from San Francisco. It starred David Soul as the writer Ben Mears, although for me, one of the main stars was the vampire's dark lair - the Marsten House, standing broodingly on the hillside above the town.

Disappointingly, this iconic building was actually a prop. A creepy wooden facade was created and temporarily fixed over the frontage of the ordinary-looking house at 850 Bluff Street, Ferndale. After filming was finished, this was dismantled and discarded.

The 'naked' house without its 'horror movie costume'.

And 850 Bluff Street today in 2026. The trees and bushes have grown quite a bit in over four decades.

Not either of the owners, Mr Straker or Mr Barlow, at the end of the drive, but Mr Jarvis.

A 1979 shot taken from the elevation showing the area at the foot of the drive. Opposite the Marsten House track are verges and a white-fenced opening where various characters parked in the movie.

The white fence is still there today, but a huge tree has grown in the exact spot where Ben Mears, David Soul, parked his distinctive yellow Jeep CJ-5. Ben lived in Salem's Lot as a child and left after a frightening experience. He's now returned and, as he says, "Ths time I'm going in with my eyes open".

Typical Victorian architecture on the main street of Ferndale. Nothing has changed since the movie.

As Ben Mears passes the frontage of the Victoria Inn hotel in his Jeep, he turns left onto Francis Street. The Marsten House can be seen on the hillside behind him. The Bluff Street boarding house where Ben Mears rents a room is on the left behind the telegraph pole.

The Victoria Inn today.

The Bluff Street boarding house in Salem's Lot where David Soul rents a room during his stay. John McClane's wife Bonnie Bedelia is seen here climbing the steps as she hears David singing Don't Give Up On Us, Baby.

The same house on Bluff Street in 2026.

Ben's Jeep parked outside Straker and Barlow's antique shop on Francis Street. The place is run by James Mason and his enigmatic partner who is rarely seen... thankfully.

Nothing whatsoever has changed since 1979, except the building is now a private dwelling and the antique emporium sign is no longer fixed to the gable. The parking spot where James Mason leaves his black sedan is still there to the right of the tree.

Straight opposite the antique shop on Francis Street stands Crockett Realty.

In 2026. A shallow tiled canopy and timber supporting columns have been added above the shop frontage.

The police station, just along the street from Crockett Realty. Now the Eel River Masonic Lodge.

The Harmony Hill Cemetery of Salem's Lot... also known as the Ferndale Cemetery on Bluff Street.

After the young Danny Glick is killed by his undead brother (in the famous bedroom window floating scene) his funeral entourage motors slowly around the serpentine road at the top of the cemetery.

The same road today.

The funeral leaves on a straighter road.

Before heading up to the Marsten House to confront the evil there, Ben Mears calls in Our Saviour's Lutheran Church on Shaw Avenue to fill a bottle with holy water. Silver is also fatal to vampires, but unfortunately for Ben, there are no silver ladies around.

And the church today, 2026

To finish - it's no wonder that James Mason ran the antique shop and his partner was never seen. Here he is - the frightening character that dwelt within Mister Barlow's house in Salem's Lot...

And the frightening character that dwelt within Mister Barlow's house on Coronation Street...

"Kennnn. Open the window, Kennn..."