Fort Worth Twin Drive-In
Interstate 30,
Fort Worth,
TX
76101
Interstate 30,
Fort Worth,
TX
76101
4 people
favorited this theater
The Fort Worth Twin Drive-In opened in 1953. Driving on I-30 on the east side of Fort Worth, until recent years, the twin screens facing each other were clearly visible with a forest of small trees growing where the parking used to be.
Contributed by
Don Lewis
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Recent comments (view all 31 comments)
OUTSTANDING, Fwkid! In the July 25, 1953 issue of BOXOFFICE magazine, there’s a two-thirds page article describing the opening of the Fort Worth Twin, complete with three photographs, including the screen tower. The article states that it was opened by the C.D. Leon Theatres circuit, and the original architect for the theater was Harvey A. Jordan of Arlington, who also designed the Cowtown Drive-In.
Also, on the Historic Aerials website, the original screen towers can be seen as late as 1963, but by 1970, were converted over to the Stran-Steel structures. And I believe that by the time of the conversion in the ‘60s, the theatre was owned by Stanley Warner Theatres (which also owned the Corral and Westside Drive-Ins), and was later sold to Texas Southwest Theatres.
EXCELLENT post, Fwkid, and thank you VERY MUCH for your info!
Thanks LarryFM! Something else I forgot to mention is there was outdoor seating at the end of the consession. It was just straight
benches with backrests and one speaker. I’m thinking one end of the consessions the seats were facing one screen and opposite on the other end. For some reason I can only remember sitting on the south
end facing east but if the seats were back to back it seams the sound would’ve conflicted. I grew up very close so that’s the drive in my family went to the most but we occasionally ventured out to other ones so there’s probably no drive in in Fort Worth built after
1954 that I haven’t been to except The Meadowbrook which was right across I30 from the Twin but for some reason my Parents always said The Meadowbrook was “seedy”
I would love to locate, purchase and revive a vintage drive-in movie theater in Texas. Does anyone have any leads? Thanks.
I am very interested in locating, purchasing and reviving a vintage drive-in movie theater in the Dallas-Ft. Worth or surrounding area. Would also be interested in a vintage traditional movie theater in the same area.
Anyone remember the Western Hills 4? I would love to see an entry for it.
Raymj, all of the drive-in theatres in Fort Worth have been demolished and/or paved and built over with new structures (Wal-Mart, strip mall, etc.), except for the Meadowbrook. It’s screen tower and box office (including it’s sign) are still in existence. I believe the property is owned by Waste Management Services, as the old lot now holds garbage dumpsters. It sounds like an intriguing idea you have. Good luck!
Sad.. The Both Screens were removed a couple of years ago. Nothing remains of the Fort Worth Twin today except the land it sat on.. I’m with LarryFM too. Good Luck raymj! The Meadowbrook is the only one left standing that I know of. Just to note, someone looked into re-opening the Meadowbrook a few yrs back. After they found out they would have to connect the sewer of the Drive In to the City’s hook up, they backed away from it. The cost was going to be pretty high from my understanding because of how far they’d have to run the sewer line to connect to the cities connection. As the Drive In was on a Septic Tank system & no longer can be done this way. And the City would not go in half to help get this done. This is what I was told*. But you never know until you look into it, as today, something could be done! Randy A Carlisle RAC Photography
Here’s a few (of the several) photos I’ve taken of the Fort Worth Twin.. Enjoy! http://www.flickr.com/photos/racphotography/466808670/ .. Plz, No copying & pasting any of my photos to any other site, Thanx! RAC Photography
Randy, as usual thanks for all you info and photos, they are always the best. Here is Randy’s link for the photos
Chuck1231.. I so appreciate the compliment. Thank You!
Now, If I could figure out how to make my link do like you did in your comment. ie. “photos” .. How is this done? Thanx! Randy
RAC Photography