Sky-Vue Drive-In
3015 S. Dallas Avenue,
Lamesa,
TX
79331
3015 S. Dallas Avenue,
Lamesa,
TX
79331
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Opened in 1948 with a capacity for 583 cars and seating for 320 walk-in patrons. The Sky-Vue Drive-In thrived in the friendly farming community of Lamesa. It was a great 1950’s throwback complete with playground, swings and merry-go-round. Not to be missed was the snack bar (also open to the public) featuring the “Chihuahua” sandwich, which was originally conceived and introduced by R.A. “Skeet” Noret and his wife, Sarah. They also built and ran the theater for many years and remain active in the movie theater business.
This was one of many successful movie ventures for the Norets. Sadly the concession building of the theatre was destroyed by a fire on November 27, 2015, putting the theatre out of business. The screen was taken down in July 2024.
Contributed by
Don Lewis
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Recent comments (view all 24 comments)
Just read in the newspaper, the Kirklands don’t own the land the theater was built on, just the structures themselfs. The land owner does not want to renew the lease for the land so it looks like death for this theater. Probably build another Walmart there.
FDY and IMPA both list a Fiesta Drive-In, Lamesa, TX, from 1957 to 1970. Sky Vu Drive-In and Yucca Drive-In are also listed, so there appears to have been three drive-ins operating in Lamesa.
typed alco stores in la mesa tx into the google maps bar which lead to a dollar general which was next to an auto zone which has vacant land behind the auto zone which appears to have the faint remnants of ramps and the general drive-in shape. hover i can’t find any ecidence that was ever a drive-in here. this is that address.
2001 Lubbock Hwy, Lamesa, TX 79331
@dansdriveintheater the lot next door has the drive in shape also. If it was a drive-in theater it may have been a twin.
NPR’s Fresh Air had a 1994 interview with western swing vocalist Don Walser, repeated on Sept. 22, 2006, where he talked about performing at the Sky-Vue on the same night as Buddy Holly.
Walser said, “There was a drive-in theater there in Lamesa, Texas, Skeet Noret had this old drive-in called the Sky-Vue – and, in fact, it’s still operating. It’s one of the last ones that hadn’t been closed down. And he had a big projection room there that he – and he had a little stage on top of it, and he’d bring in guys like Hall Nicks and Buddy Holly, and they would have them come down and play at the Sky-Vue between the movies, you know, and I would share bills with one of them.”
Looks like a time capsule and pretty intact. There wasn’t a No Trespassing sign so I ventured in a bit to get pics. All the kiddie park items are still there, just long grass and lots of neglect.
I went to Sky-Vue back around 1999.. Stopped for a movie, and met Mr Kirkland. Super nice guy.. Gave me a T-Shirt that I still have today. Never worn. Nice keep-sake now.. SO saddening about this historical drive in theatre. He started there helping out the snack bar, etc, and eventually bought the drive in.. Anyone know if Mr Kirkland is still around.? Thanx! Randy A Carlisle (FB) RAC Photography
At the time of the fire, they were screening the peanuts movie
A story regarding the future of the drive in. https://www.kcbd.com/2024/07/29/lamesa-sky-vue-drive-in-taking-an-intermission-looking-new-location/
On “The Speaker Post” on Facebook, I post a min video of them disassembling the screen.. July 30th 2024 I also took several photos of the area.. Playground equip still there but in sad shape.. Swings appears to be in decent condition tho.. They were dug up and moved away from the screen.. Randy A Carlisle (Facebook) [DJ-Real Oldies & Retro Oldies] RAC Photography