
The 1984 coming-of-age classic Sixteen Candles was written and directed by John Hughes. The film is set in the fictional Illinois town of Shermer, a suburb of Chicago. However, the movie was actually filmed in various locations across Illinois, including Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park. The Baker House, where the protagonist Samantha Baker lives, is located at 3022 Payne Street, Evanston. The high school scenes were filmed at Niles East High School, located at 7701 North Lincoln Avenue, Skokie.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Setting | The fictional Illinois town of Shermer, a suburb of Chicago |
| Filming locations | Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois |
| Filming dates | July 11, 1983 - September 16, 1983 |
| Notable filming sites | Baker House, Niles East High School, Jake's House, Glencoe Union Church |
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What You'll Learn

The Baker House
The film, written and directed by John Hughes, is set in the fictional Illinois town of Shermer, a suburb of Chicago. However, the movie was actually shot in various locations across the Chicago suburbs of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park. The Baker House, in particular, is located in Evanston, which is known for its picturesque streets and charming suburban atmosphere.
The choice of location was intentional, as Hughes wanted to capture the essence of suburban Chicago in the 1980s. The film, released in 1984, has become a cult classic, and its locations have gained popularity among fans. Evanston, in particular, has become synonymous with the film, and fans often visit the area to relive their favourite scenes and imagine themselves in the world of Sixteen Candles.
In addition to the Baker House, other notable filming locations in Evanston include Niles East High School (now Oaktown Community College) and the house with the famous party scene on Waverly Road in Highland Park. These locations contribute to the overall atmosphere and tone of the film, capturing the essence of teenage life in the 1980s.
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Niles East High School
The 1984 coming-of-age classic Sixteen Candles was filmed in various locations across Illinois, USA. The film's high school scenes were shot at the now-defunct Niles East High School, located at 7701 North Lincoln Avenue in Skokie, Illinois. The school ceased operating in 1980 and has since been torn down, with the site now occupied by Oaktown Community College.
The fictional high school in Sixteen Candles is set in the Chicago suburb of Shermer, Illinois, which is referenced in other Hughes films such as The Breakfast Club and Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The film's director, John Hughes, was known for setting his films in fictional Chicago suburbs, and Niles East High School provided the perfect location for his vision of a typical American high school.
In addition to Niles East High School, other filming locations for Sixteen Candles included Evanston, Highland Park, and Northbrook, Illinois. The Baker House, for example, where the protagonist Samantha Baker lives, was located at 3022 Payne Street in Evanston. Jake's house was located at 1407 Waverly Road in Highland Park, and the famous picture of the girl in the car was filmed at 1411 Sycamore Lane in Northbrook.
The use of Niles East High School and other locations in Illinois helped to create the authentic and relatable world of Sixteen Candles, contributing to its enduring legacy as a beloved coming-of-age film.
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Jake's House
Jake Ryan's house in Sixteen Candles is located at 1407 Waverly Road in Highland Park, Illinois. The house is in a fictional suburb of Chicago called Shermer. The film's art department had to work hard to transform the house into Jake's pad, as it was very different from the vision in the script. The house was chosen because it was large enough to accommodate the film crew and equipment. The house's interior was also used for filming, including the famous kitchen scene where Jake and his friends are making breakfast.
The exterior of the house is shown in several scenes, including when Jake is getting ready for the school dance and when he returns home to find his girlfriend has thrown a party. The house is also featured in the film's promotional materials and on the cover of the DVD release.
The house has become a popular tourist attraction for fans of the film, who often take photos on the front lawn or try to recreate scenes from the movie. The current residents are reportedly very friendly and welcoming to visitors, as long as people are respectful of their property.
The house has changed hands several times since the film's release, and the current owners have carefully restored it to its former glory, even adding some Sixteen Candles-themed touches to the interior decor. It remains a beloved piece of cinematic history and a must-see destination for fans visiting the Chicago area.
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Glencoe Union Church
The Glencoe Union Church, located at 263 Park Avenue in Glencoe, Illinois, was one of the filming locations for the 1984 coming-of-age classic "Sixteen Candles." The church served as the backdrop for several pivotal scenes in the movie, adding a touch of solemnity and beauty to the story.
The film, written and directed by John Hughes, revolves around Samantha Baker, a teenager dealing with the ups and downs of high school life and a crush on a senior boy. While the movie is set in the fictional Illinois town of Shermer, a suburb of Chicago, Hughes chose to film in several real-life Chicago suburbs, including Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park.
The Glencoe Union Church specifically stood in for the church where Samantha's sister, Ginny, gets married. The church's exterior can be seen in the movie, providing a picturesque setting for the wedding scene. The choice of this location adds a sense of authenticity to the film, grounding it in the everyday realities of suburban Chicago life.
In addition to the Glencoe Union Church, other notable filming locations for "Sixteen Candles" include Niles East High School in Skokie, which served as the unnamed high school in the film, and various residential locations in Evanston, Highland Park, and Northbrook, Illinois. These locations brought the story to life, providing a backdrop that captured the essence of teenage life in the 1980s.
The use of the Glencoe Union Church as a filming location is a testament to Hughes' attention to detail and his desire to create a realistic world for his characters to inhabit. By choosing this church, Hughes not only added visual appeal to the wedding scene but also reinforced the sense of community and familiarity often found in small-town settings.
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Evanston, Skokie, Highland Park
The 1984 film Sixteen Candles was filmed in several locations in the Chicago suburbs of Evanston, Skokie, and Highland Park, Illinois.
Evanston
The Baker House, home to the film's protagonist, Samantha Baker, is located at 3022 Payne Street in Evanston.
Skokie
The unnamed high school that features prominently in the film is Niles East High School, which was located at 7701 North Lincoln Avenue in Skokie. Both exterior and interior school shots were filmed at Niles East, including the auto shop scene. Another school, Niles North High School, also in Skokie, was used for certain scenes, such as the famous dance scene in the gym.
Highland Park
The house of Jake Ryan, Sam's crush, is located at 1407 Waverly Road in Highland Park.
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Frequently asked questions
The movie Sixteen Candles was filmed in Illinois, USA.
Yes, the movie was shot in various locations across Illinois, including Evanston, Skokie, Highland Park, Northbrook, and Glencoe.
Yes, the Baker House was located at 3022 Payne Street in Evanston, while Jake's House was at 1407 Waverly Road in Highland Park. The high school scenes were filmed at Niles East High School in Skokie.
The movie is set in the fictional Illinois town of Shermer, a suburb of Chicago.











































