This is the second and final location of the Escondido Drive-In. Here’s an excerpt from an article in the Union Tribune about it:
“The Escondido Drive-In opened July 6, 1950, at its original location at 755 West Mission Avenue. The price of admission for that night’s feature, “The Boy from Indiana,” was 50 cents. The drive-in could accommodate about 320 cars.
California political hopeful and former President Richard Nixon made a campaign stop at the drive-in that year, and in 1962, a local pastor began holding Sunday worship services in the lot.
Films such as 1959’s “Ben Hur” sold out several times a night. Dan Johnston moved the drive-in to 635 West Mission Avenue in 1967 to accommodate the thriving business."
This appears to be the original location for the Escondido Drive-In Theater. An article in the Union Tribune explains it:
“The Escondido Drive-In opened July 6, 1950, at its original location at 755 West Mission Avenue. The price of admission for that night’s feature, “The Boy from Indiana,” was 50 cents. The drive-in could accommodate about 320 cars.
California political hopeful and former President Richard Nixon made a campaign stop at the drive-in that year, and in 1962, a local pastor began holding Sunday worship services in the lot.
Films such as 1959’s “Ben Hur” sold out several times a night. Dan Johnston moved the drive-in to 635 West Mission Avenue in 1967 to accommodate the thriving business."
*I have to question the address provided though, as it doesn’t appear to be correct on google maps. Unless perhaps the locations of the numerical addresses have changed since the 50’s…which isn’t too hard to believe.
This theater has definitely been demolished. You can see it if you look at http://www.historicaerials.com and compare the 1989 aerial to the 2003/2005 aerial.
Also, as of this posting it should be noted that a small portion of the mall still exists, which is the Acapulco Restaurant. It was part of a MUCH larger structure, but they left that part of the building alone and made it look like a stand-alone building.
I left out “Pirates! Band of Misfits”. Oops.
…And the “21 Jumps Street” poster as well.
When did this theater stop showing films? I see it was demolished in 2006, but I assume it was dormant for a while between shut down and demolition.
According to their website (http://www.moviemax.com), their address is:
2601 El Camino Real, Carlsbad, CA
If this site is correct, then based on the movies shown on the marquee, it was open at least until 1985. Perhaps it closed in 1990.
http://americanclassicimages.com/Default.aspx?tabid=141&ProductID=23712
http://www.nctimes.com/news/local/escondido/article_5183eede-9318-556b-80ae-50e3d0c3d80d.html
Amazing pictures, thanks for sharing!
Sweet picture!
The posters seen here are for “Think Like a Man” (left) and “Mirror, Mirror” (right).
This is the second and final location of the Escondido Drive-In. Here’s an excerpt from an article in the Union Tribune about it:
“The Escondido Drive-In opened July 6, 1950, at its original location at 755 West Mission Avenue. The price of admission for that night’s feature, “The Boy from Indiana,” was 50 cents. The drive-in could accommodate about 320 cars.
California political hopeful and former President Richard Nixon made a campaign stop at the drive-in that year, and in 1962, a local pastor began holding Sunday worship services in the lot.
Films such as 1959’s “Ben Hur” sold out several times a night. Dan Johnston moved the drive-in to 635 West Mission Avenue in 1967 to accommodate the thriving business."
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/jun/27/driven-to-preserve-drive-in-memories/?page=2#article
This appears to be the original location for the Escondido Drive-In Theater. An article in the Union Tribune explains it:
“The Escondido Drive-In opened July 6, 1950, at its original location at 755 West Mission Avenue. The price of admission for that night’s feature, “The Boy from Indiana,” was 50 cents. The drive-in could accommodate about 320 cars.
California political hopeful and former President Richard Nixon made a campaign stop at the drive-in that year, and in 1962, a local pastor began holding Sunday worship services in the lot.
Films such as 1959’s “Ben Hur” sold out several times a night. Dan Johnston moved the drive-in to 635 West Mission Avenue in 1967 to accommodate the thriving business."
*I have to question the address provided though, as it doesn’t appear to be correct on google maps. Unless perhaps the locations of the numerical addresses have changed since the 50’s…which isn’t too hard to believe.
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2010/jun/27/driven-to-preserve-drive-in-memories/?page=2#article
This theater has definitely been demolished. You can see it if you look at http://www.historicaerials.com and compare the 1989 aerial to the 2003/2005 aerial.
Also, as of this posting it should be noted that a small portion of the mall still exists, which is the Acapulco Restaurant. It was part of a MUCH larger structure, but they left that part of the building alone and made it look like a stand-alone building.
Here’s a link to the opening advertisement and a newspaper clipping of their opening night article.
http://www.cinematour.com/documents/ads/ca-temecula-winchestersquare-openingad-002.pdf
http://www.cinematour.com/documents/article/ca-temecula-winchestersquare-openstomorrow-001.pdf
Here’s a 3D rendering of the building. Very cool!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QTGVNkLW3XY
It was more than 1 screen, probably 8 or 10 or something like that.