Jefferson Drive-In
4506 W. Jefferson Boulevard,
Dallas,
TX
75211
4506 W. Jefferson Boulevard,
Dallas,
TX
75211
1 person
favorited this theater
The Jefferson Drive-In opened in 1949. It closed in 1987, re-opened in 1989 and closed for good in 1990. This single screen drive-in had a capacity for 600 cars.
Contributed by
Lost Memory
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Recent comments (view all 20 comments)
Does anyone know why this drive-in was closed a second time right after it reopened in the late 80’s?
Such a shame to lose this gem. The backside of the screen that faced the road had a neon light display of as I remember a “band playing”. Lights would flash on and off to give the appearance of the band members and instruments moving to music. It was quite a sight as we would come down the road to the show.
Another view of the Jefferson Drive In here and here.
In reference to Gary R.’s post, everyone can see what the screen tower neon art looked like in the September 16, 1950 issue of BOXOFFICE magazine, on page 77. It depicted a night club scene, complete with three chorus girls, and the band. The musicians depicted are playing a piano, a trumpet, and kettle drums.
The article further describes the scene as being in “different colors of neon”, and “on a free-shaped background of porcelain enamel”, and also mentions that it was opened by Harold Gibbons, who also opened Fort Worth’s Pike Drive-In, in 1947. The online archive of BOXOFFICE magazine can be accessed at the following:
http://issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_091650-2
The Jefferson Drive-In was designed by Jack Corgan. The architect’s rendering appeared in Boxoffice of December 2, 1950.
From 1963 a Dallas Area drive in theater ad.
Nice ad Don.
When was the Jefferson demolished? I went and took some photos just beforehand but can’t remember exactly when that was…
BTW – just to respond further to TC’s old comment about a drive-in called the “Twin East”…that was the old Twin Highways, located farther out Jefferson to the east toward Grand Prairie. At one point in its checkered life span it was called simply the “Twin” – the Twin Highways is what it went by when it was a single-screener, as it was located between Jefferson and W. Davis (SH 160) and had two entrances, one off each route. Later, another complete screen/projection booth/parking lot was added, to the east and the venue became known as the “Twin West” and the “Twin East.” Very rare permutation of the twin-screen concept.
The Jefferson Drive In Theatre was demolished in August of 2004. Heres' a photo I took when they were starting to dismantle the screen.. http://www.flickr.com/photos/racphotography/479117085/ .. Today, a DISD School is on the property.. RAC Photography