Big Sombrero Air Dome

20731 MO-59,
Noel, MO 64854

40 cars

1 person favorited this theater

Showing 3 comments

MichaelKilgore on October 27, 2020 at 11:56 am

The March 4, 1950 issue of Boxoffice ran a short story about the Big Sombrero Drive-In Theatre, which it placed in Sulphur Springs AR. Owner J. Bye Coverston used snap-on speakers, which he would hand out to each car when it came in, then collect as it exited. “When a patron fails to turn in his speaker he is asked to return to the ramp and get it.”

Coverston said, possibly in jest, that his position on the border helped with taxes. “The Arkansas-Missouri state line runs right through my drive-in,” he said with a broad grin, “and if taxation becomes unfavorable in Arkansas, I just move my boxoffice into Missouri and operate from there.”

A 1955 aerial photo showed the entirety of the drive-in on the Missouri side except for one entrance off the highway in Arkansas. Maybe that’s where the box office was in 1950?

kennerado on May 2, 2020 at 4:46 am

I’m pretty sure I found the location. The closest address is 20731 MO-59, Noel, MO 64854. There is a property right on the state line opposite Stateline Liquor with a large shed on it – this is where Big Sombrero was located. In a 1955 aerial you can see what looks like ramps with a largish concession building where I guess the seats were.

BOBFORDD on February 27, 2014 at 12:50 am

I worked at this theatre in 1956. Was that a long time ago.

The theatre has been gone for over 50 years. I wonder what happened to J. Bye. Coverston the owner.