Located at 8335 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany (westside of Oklahom City), I’ve been told by a reliable source that the Lake Air Drive-In was once a beautiful facility. The entrance drive was lined by lattice fencing, with baroque trim, topped by Victorian gaslight fixtures. Manicured landscaping was exceptionally lush with a vast array of varied foliage.
Below the screentower was a small playground park surrounded by royal gold cannas, boardered by hostas plants. There was a candy cane striped swingset, candy striped teeter-totters, spiral slide, and a round trampoline housed inside a white gazebo.
The concession stand had a brick patio enclosed by an iron picket fence. The enterior was Victorian styled with flocked foil wallpaper and gingerbread trim. It offered the usual hot dogs, popcorn, candy, and pop, but its popular specialty was a breaded mutton steak sandwich, topped with mayo and onion rings (this sandwich was also a favorite across town at the Ice Cream Parlor inside Frontier City Amusement Park).
Time passes swiftly, after the Lake Air closed for the last time the lush foliage was no longer cared for, and began to take over the grounds. Standing in ruin today, one can still observe that this was once a special place in which to view a movie or two.
On the below link the Lake Air is erroneously listed as the Lakeside. Recent photos are posted of what the Lake Air looks like now - View link
Lost Memory:
You seem to possess more knowledge on theatres than most. Will you please gaze into your crystal ball (Film Daily Yearbook) to find out what the actual name of this drive-in was?
If this was the same drive-in as the Lake Air then this is a duplicate listing of the one listed in Oklahoma City. Bethany is a suburb of OKC. Above link may need to be transferred to Lake Air since there are nice photos of what is left of this theatre.
A gentleman who grew up in Wichita recently told me that the Victory, though not identical, was quite similar to the Empire in Grand Forks, ND. While the Victory decor had a silver & wine color scheme, the Empire was decked out in tan & wine.
Buchner & Orth could have designed both theatres, though it is most likely that the Victory was a Boller Bros. creation.
The Sunset and Southern were similar in design.
Wonder it the same architect designed both houses? This link has lots of photos of historic Kansas theatres, View link
Located at 8335 NW 39th Expressway, Bethany (westside of Oklahom City), I’ve been told by a reliable source that the Lake Air Drive-In was once a beautiful facility. The entrance drive was lined by lattice fencing, with baroque trim, topped by Victorian gaslight fixtures. Manicured landscaping was exceptionally lush with a vast array of varied foliage.
Below the screentower was a small playground park surrounded by royal gold cannas, boardered by hostas plants. There was a candy cane striped swingset, candy striped teeter-totters, spiral slide, and a round trampoline housed inside a white gazebo.
The concession stand had a brick patio enclosed by an iron picket fence. The enterior was Victorian styled with flocked foil wallpaper and gingerbread trim. It offered the usual hot dogs, popcorn, candy, and pop, but its popular specialty was a breaded mutton steak sandwich, topped with mayo and onion rings (this sandwich was also a favorite across town at the Ice Cream Parlor inside Frontier City Amusement Park).
Time passes swiftly, after the Lake Air closed for the last time the lush foliage was no longer cared for, and began to take over the grounds. Standing in ruin today, one can still observe that this was once a special place in which to view a movie or two.
On the below link the Lake Air is erroneously listed as the Lakeside. Recent photos are posted of what the Lake Air looks like now -
View link
Check out this link for more info on the Rogers –
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Lost Memory:
You seem to possess more knowledge on theatres than most. Will you please gaze into your crystal ball (Film Daily Yearbook) to find out what the actual name of this drive-in was?
Information on the Chief can be found on this link –
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Information on the Mystery can be found on this site –
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This web site has some detail on the Pioneer Drive-In -
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Photos & a description of the 51 can be found on this fine link –
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If this was the same drive-in as the Lake Air then this is a duplicate listing of the one listed in Oklahoma City. Bethany is a suburb of OKC. Above link may need to be transferred to Lake Air since there are nice photos of what is left of this theatre.
A gentleman who grew up in Wichita recently told me that the Victory, though not identical, was quite similar to the Empire in Grand Forks, ND. While the Victory decor had a silver & wine color scheme, the Empire was decked out in tan & wine.
Buchner & Orth could have designed both theatres, though it is most likely that the Victory was a Boller Bros. creation.
http://www.cinematour.com/tour/us/10110.html
Many classic Kansas theatres are mentioned, along with photos, on this link -
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See this and other classic Kansas theatres on this fun link -
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The Plainview is outlined in this link about classic Kansas theatres -
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This fun link mentions the West, along with many other classic Kansas theatres –
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Look at this fun web site featuring classic Kansas theatres -
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This link has good images of classic Kansas cinemas,
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This link has a lot of photos of classic Kansas movie houses,
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Listed on this fact filled link as the K 42 Drive-In. This web site is chock full of history and photos of hundreds of Kansas cinemas,
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This fact filled link mentions the Tower, along with many other historic Kansas movie houses,
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This arousing web site list the Westport, and outlines histories along with posted photos of hundreds of historic Kansas theatres,
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This interesting link list the Sandra, along with photos of many other historic Kansas theatres,
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Look into this fun link to see hundreds of photos of historic Kansas theatres,
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Here is a nice site that outlines the history (along with many photographs) of hundreds of historic Kansas theatres,
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The Sunset and Southern were similar in design.
Wonder it the same architect designed both houses? This link has lots of photos of historic Kansas theatres,
View link
This informative link list the Southern Theatre, along with histories and photos of many other historic Kansas theatres,
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This site list Wichita’s Princess Theatre, along with manay more Kansas theatres,
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