Jewel Drive-In
OK-56 and N3780 Road,
Okemah,
OK
74859
OK-56 and N3780 Road,
Okemah,
OK
74859
1 person
favorited this theater
Showing 12 comments
My mom grew up in Okemah, and I have many happy memories of visiting my grandparents there. In 1964, my grandmother took us to see THE UNSINKABLE MOLLY BROWN at the Jewel Drive-in. My grandfather was the superintendent of schools for many years in Okemah, and when he retired, they built a new elementary school and named it after him. It’s still there.
The Jewel Drive-In Theatre launched July 25, 1957 with “Beau James.” It was still operating in 1975.
Okfuskee County News, March 7, 1957: “Construction will begin immediately on a 400-car capacity drive-in theater east of Okemah on U.S. highway 62 north of the airport, Bill Slepka, owner of the Jewel and Crystal theaters here, announced today … Plans call for the theater to open on Friday, May 3.”
Season-opener note from the April 18, 1960 issue of Boxoffice: “Bill Slepka … was busy getting his Jewel Drive-In in shape for his opening on the 15th.”
jwmovies is correct, the address is Oklahoma 56 and N3780 Road, Okemah, OK.
https://tinyurl.com/y73vjryb
Approx. location for this drive-in wasOklahoma 56 & N3780 Rd.
My guess is that the Jewel sign on the drive-in marquee came from the Jewel THEATRE?
The name Okemah came from Chief Okemah.
Famed folk-singer Woody Guthrie (THIS LAND IS YOUR LAND) and father of Arlo Guthrie (RIDING ON THE CITY OF NEW ORLEANS) was born in Okemah on July 14, 1912, 100 years ago.
What’s the location of the “highway maintance facility', CT could use an address, photos, both old and new, and more info.
Chief Bob Jensen
Manteno, Illinois
The Jewel Drive-In Theatre looked over those lovely hills that famed songwriter Woody Guthrie made famous,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9QJyWdXMP_A
No only if they would fix the roof.
Nice looking drive-in.
Okemah was home town to famed folk songwriter / singer Woody Guthrie –
http://www.woodyguthrie.org/
Here is a 1985 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/lhbuk7