This little note in the May 3, 1952 Boxoffice is phrased as if the Sierra first opened that year: “Gibraltar Theatres has opened its new 200-car Sierra Drive-In, Socorro. N. M.”
Nov. 6, 1957 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “Wayne Long is selling his Corral Drive-In, the Texan, and the Ward at Monahans, Tex. The two latter were purchased from Frontier Theatres in 1956. The real estate, buildings and equipment will be offered at auction.”
This April 3, 1963 note in Motion Picture Exhibitor suggests the Wagon Wheel was closed by then: “Wright Hale, who operates the Lyric, indoor house, and the Holiday Drive-In, Spearman, Tex., and Everett Mahanley, who is constructing the Corral Drive-In, Guymon, have purchased the Wagonwheel (sic) Drive-In, Spearman, from J. D. Wilbanks and will dismantle the drive-in.”
The Corral probably opened in 1963, based on this April 3, 1963 note in Motion Picture Exhibitor: Wright Hale, who operates the Lyric, indoor house, and the Holiday Drive-In, Spearman, Tex., and Everett Mahanley, who is constructing the Corral Drive-In, Guymon, have purchased the Wagonwheel Drive-In, Spearman, from J. D. Wilbanks and will dismantle the drive-in.
Wow, that took forever! The Dec. 10, 1962 issue of Boxoffice included an announcement that the Corral Drive-In of Eldon MO had finally joined the Theatre Owners of America. “The Corral Drive-In is owned and operated by Tom E. Edwards of Eldon.”
March 25, 1964 Motion Picture Exhibitor: Walter Allen, Maquoketa, has purchased the Bel-Air Drive-In, Davenport, from George Dinelli, Peru, Ill. Allen, who also operates the Corral Drive-In, Moline, Ill., plans some renovating at the Davenport Drive-In.
March 4, 1964 Motion Picture Exhibitor: Don Smith has purchased the Atlantic and Corral Drive-In, Atlantic, Ia. Smith has been associated with Pioneer Theatres for more than 30 years. He and his wife have moved to Atlantic from Carroll, Ia.
Motion Picture Herald, May 3, 1952: Charles Brent has sold the Yucca drive-in, Santa Fe, N. M., to Wiles & Noah, who operate a drive-in at Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Found it! Thanks to some help in the Hudson clerk’s office, I spotted the old Corral in a 1953 USGS aerial. Ironically, the new highway mentioned in the 1960 note above just missed the Corral, which should have still been accessible from the old highway / new frontage road, so now I really don’t know when the Corral closed. Anyway, the business that’s on that site now has the address of 22303 Interstate 76 Frontage Rd, Hudson, CO 80642.
The Corral opened in the spring of 1952. On May 3, 1952, Boxoffice wrote, “M. H. Philpson (sic) has opened his new 250-car Corrall (sic) Drive-In at Hudson, Colo., which opens this town to films.”
Was there a second (or third) theater in Limon’s history, or just one that was renamed a few times? The evidence I’ve found supports the latter conclusion.
The first reference I could find to a Limon theater was in the Jan. 5, 1918 Moving Picture World: “Sharon Springs, Kan. – Mrs. Henrietta Pope has sold her picture show and has bought a show at Limon, Colo.” Later that summer, that magazine included the Elite Theatre of Limon in its Pershing Crusader Roll of Honor.
The next news I found was from 1928 issues of Film Daily. Sept. 16: “Limon, Colo. – Free shows are presented at the Auditorium here each Saturday afternoon for the benefit of local merchants.” And in the Nov. 15 issue: “Limon, Colo. – The Auditorium 250-seat house owned by John Blair was destroyed by fire, caused by an overheated furnace.”
Someone rebuilt the Auditorium, because it went through some ownership changes in 1931-32, according to notes in Film Daily.
Oct. 20: Closing - Limon - Auditorium.
Nov. 19: “Hugo, Colo. - Fay Lieber has sold the Empress to J. H. Wible, owner of the Auditorium in Limon.” (Variety called the owner J. L. Wible.)
Nov. 20: Reopening - Limon - Auditorium.
Dec. 13: “Limon, Colo. - The Auditorium is again under the ownership and management of John Blair, who leased the house a year ago to the Grand Theater Co. It was recently controlled by J. T. Wible.”
Dec. 22: Changes in Ownership: Limon - Auditorium, sold to John Blair.
Mar. 8: “Theaters closing in the past week in this district include … the Auditorium, Limon, Colo.”
May 28: “Burlington, Colo. - Vincent S. Hennen, part owner of the Midway, and Clarice R. Hamilton of Denver, were married recently at Castle Rock, Colo. They will make their home here. Hennen formerly owned theaters at Durango, Sterling and Limon, Colo.”
June 1: “Limon, Colo. - C. W. Sebern has leased the Auditorium and will reopen it after remodeling.”
June 22: “Limon - Auditorium, sold to C. W. Sebern by John Blair.”
Variety reported on April 25, 1933 that the Auditorium had closed (again).
On Jan. 15, 1938, Film Daily reported that National Theatre Supply Co.’s Denver office supplied “to the Auditorium Theater, Limon, Colo., two Simplex Acme sound projectors complete and Walker Silversheet sound screen”. Which suggests that the theater was being remodeled or rebuilt but hadn’t changed its name yet.
As JimRankin wrote, the theater’s owner at this point was Egon W. G. Wieselmann. A July 13, 1940 Boxoffice note still called it the Auditorium, but an earlier note in the Motion Picture Herald said it was the Cactus.
The rest of my notes confirm JimRankin’s account. On May 5, 1945, Boxoffice wrote, “John L. Steele, rancher, has bought the Cactus Theatre, Limon, Colo., from E. W. G. Weiselmann, who plans to take a lengthy vacation before returning to the theatre business.” By the end of the year, Showmen’s Trade Review noted that Weiselmann was “operating a manufacturing company in Colorado Springs.” And on Sept. 10, 1949, the STR wrote, “Roy Steele has sold the Cactus, Limon, Colo., to Sam Feinstein and Charles McCarthy.”
Found it! A good address for the site is 5201 S Cherokee St, the southwest corner of 53rd Street & US 64.
The drive-in was outlined in a 1978 topo map, but a 1980 aerial photo shows a building there that looks a lot like the building there today. That aerial still showed hints of ramps, but I don’t see them now.
After a sneak preview the night before for employees and invited guests, the Groy Drive-In held its Grand Opening on May 12, 1950, according to notes in the Salida Daily Mail-Record that week. Its opening program was “The Michigan Kid” plus “Urubu” and other short subjects.
“Ben and Louis Groy, Salida residents for many years, have been overseeing the construction of their outdoor theatre for the past several weeks. Located but a short distance across from the Little River Motel and Cafe, it is easily accessible for tourists who are passing thru on Highway 50.”
Ben and Louis took out a three-column display ad the following Monday to say “Thanks to the wonderful people of Salida” for making their Grand Opening “a huge success”.
The Star held its Grand Opening on Friday, July 1, 1955, based on a front-page story in that day’s Monte Vista Journal. It was owned and managed by Mr. and Mrs. George Kelloff, “who are moving to Monte Vista and will occupy an apartment at the theatre site.” The opening program was “Gypsy Colt” and a cartoon carnival. The drive-in held 500 cars and had been built “on the old airport site.”
The Frontier Drive-In held its grand opening on Saturday, May 14, 1955, based on a front-page story in the previous day’s issue of the Monte Vista Journal. Admission was free for the opening, which featured the movie “Warpath”.
The drive-in was described “eleven miles north of Monte Vista on the Gunbarrel,” the locals' name for US 285, which has no curves in that stretch. It was owned by Herb and Theta Gumpers, who also owned the Center Theatre, the La Jara Theatre, and the Round-Up Drive-In in La Jara.
“Gumpers has constructed the theatre screen and installations himself.” The screen was 44x80 feet, and the lot held 320 cars. Walter Nichols was the manager.
The Grand Opening for the Island Acres was on Friday, July 22, 1955, based on the top front-page story in that week’s Gunnison News-Champion. The first program was “The Fast and the Furious” (the 1954 version), “The Law vs. Billy the Kid,” and “always a cartoon”.
The Grand Opening of the Valley was on Friday, Aug. 19, 1955, based on an ad in the previous day’s issue of The Paonian. The opening program was “Timberjack,” “Trouble in Store,” and a cartoon.
The Paonia held its grand opening on June 7, 1957, based on a front-page article the previous day in The Paonian. Owner Tom Poulos said that some of the equipment hadn’t yet arrived, but the incomplete theater would open on schedule.
The drive-in had 260 speakers and a 78x34-foot screen. “Don Poulos, manager of the Paonia and Hotchkiss theatres, will also manage the drive-in.”
The opening program was “Sierra Stranger,” “Walking My Baby Back Home,” a cartoon and a Three Stooges short.
The Uranium had its opening on Sunday, March 13, 1954, showing “War Paint” and “Africa Screams,” based on a report six days later in the Nucla Forum. Bill Moore opened the place even though the concession stand was incomplete; its first ad in that newspaper was that March 19 edition. Moore said he planned a double feature every night of the week.
The drive-in was still advertising in 1976, and it stayed on the Motion Picture Almanacs' drive-in lists through the final list in 1988.
In its May 7, 1949 issue, Boxoffice raved about the soon-to-open Bel-Air’s sign: “The largest Illinois sign ever to be displayed in Will county is now under construction by the Lotz Sign Co. The sign is being manufactured for the Bel Air Theatre Co. and will grace the huge screen tower of the drive-in being built at the southeast junction of Route 66-A and Romeo road, five miles north of Joliet.
“The sign will weigh three-and-a-half tons when it is completed. It will contain 12,000 feet of neon tubing. If stretched in a straight line, that tubing would cover seven city blocks. And the sign will be as wide a Joliet’s main thoroughfare. The letters in it will be more than 12 feet high.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 19, 1949: “Herbert Gumper hopes to be able to open his new 450-seat Fawn, Center, Colo., by Easter.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1949: “CENTER, COLO. – The 434-seat New Center Theatre has opened here following a year of construction work. Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Herb Gumper, the New Center is housed in a 50x20-foot two-story building which houses, in addition to the auditorium, projection booth, cry room and restrooms, two small store spaces on the ground floor and an apartment and three office spaces on the second floor. The Fawn, which has served Center for the past 20 years, will be closed for the present, but will be reopened during the potato harvest in the fall, it was reported.”
Boxoffice, March 19, 1949: “Wyoming drive-ins to be completed for spring opening include the Motor Vu, Cheyenne; Skyline, Casper; Skyline, Rawlins and West, Cody.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1949: “The Motor-Vu 600-car drive-in, Cheyenne, has been opened by Russ Dauterman, Al Knox, O. J. Hazen and Ray Davis”
Boxoffice, April 2, 1949: “Harry Baird, Max Story and E. C. Jones are building a 400-car drive-in at Delta, Colo., leaving room to expand if needed. The spot will open about May 7, and will use Motiograph sound and booth equipment and Service Supply car speakers, all bought from Ted Knox.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1949 (possibly erroneously anticipating the event): “Mr. and Mrs. Harry Barrett and Max Stotey have opened their new 500-car drive-in at Delta, Colo.”
I wonder whether this drive-in changed its name before or after it opened. From Boxoffice, April 2, 1949: “CASPER, WYO. – April 10 has been set as the opening date for the Adams Drive-In, located near the fairgrounds. At present the theatre is about 60 per cent complete, Robert Adams, head of the enterprise, reported. Finishing touches and installation of equipment are all that remains to be done. The drive-in is owned by Allen and his brothers who also plan to operate an outdoor theatre in Rawlins.”
The opening date lines up with the nameless Boxoffice note three weeks later on April 23, “Robert Adams has opened a 640-car drive-in at Casper, Wyo., with new Motiograph booth equipment, sound and Service Theatre Supply car speakers, sold by Ted Knox”
Anthony L. Vazquez-Hernandez’s article link from Sept. 2006 is now dead, but I found what it might have been at NewsLibrary.com (available through some public libraries, or with money). Vail Daily published an article on July 25, 2003 about the Groy family and the Comanche. A few highlights:
John Sr. and Pearl Groy (for whom Buena Vista’s indoor Pearl was named), opened the Comanche in August 1966. The drive-in lost its final 40 in-car speakers “to lightning” in 2002. At the time of the article, they were still using a two-projector system instead of a platter.
This little note in the May 3, 1952 Boxoffice is phrased as if the Sierra first opened that year: “Gibraltar Theatres has opened its new 200-car Sierra Drive-In, Socorro. N. M.”
Nov. 6, 1957 Motion Picture Exhibitor: “Wayne Long is selling his Corral Drive-In, the Texan, and the Ward at Monahans, Tex. The two latter were purchased from Frontier Theatres in 1956. The real estate, buildings and equipment will be offered at auction.”
This April 3, 1963 note in Motion Picture Exhibitor suggests the Wagon Wheel was closed by then: “Wright Hale, who operates the Lyric, indoor house, and the Holiday Drive-In, Spearman, Tex., and Everett Mahanley, who is constructing the Corral Drive-In, Guymon, have purchased the Wagonwheel (sic) Drive-In, Spearman, from J. D. Wilbanks and will dismantle the drive-in.”
The Corral probably opened in 1963, based on this April 3, 1963 note in Motion Picture Exhibitor: Wright Hale, who operates the Lyric, indoor house, and the Holiday Drive-In, Spearman, Tex., and Everett Mahanley, who is constructing the Corral Drive-In, Guymon, have purchased the Wagonwheel Drive-In, Spearman, from J. D. Wilbanks and will dismantle the drive-in.
Wow, that took forever! The Dec. 10, 1962 issue of Boxoffice included an announcement that the Corral Drive-In of Eldon MO had finally joined the Theatre Owners of America. “The Corral Drive-In is owned and operated by Tom E. Edwards of Eldon.”
March 25, 1964 Motion Picture Exhibitor: Walter Allen, Maquoketa, has purchased the Bel-Air Drive-In, Davenport, from George Dinelli, Peru, Ill. Allen, who also operates the Corral Drive-In, Moline, Ill., plans some renovating at the Davenport Drive-In.
March 4, 1964 Motion Picture Exhibitor: Don Smith has purchased the Atlantic and Corral Drive-In, Atlantic, Ia. Smith has been associated with Pioneer Theatres for more than 30 years. He and his wife have moved to Atlantic from Carroll, Ia.
Motion Picture Herald, May 3, 1952: Charles Brent has sold the Yucca drive-in, Santa Fe, N. M., to Wiles & Noah, who operate a drive-in at Excelsior Springs, Mo.
Found it! Thanks to some help in the Hudson clerk’s office, I spotted the old Corral in a 1953 USGS aerial. Ironically, the new highway mentioned in the 1960 note above just missed the Corral, which should have still been accessible from the old highway / new frontage road, so now I really don’t know when the Corral closed. Anyway, the business that’s on that site now has the address of 22303 Interstate 76 Frontage Rd, Hudson, CO 80642.
The Corral opened in the spring of 1952. On May 3, 1952, Boxoffice wrote, “M. H. Philpson (sic) has opened his new 250-car Corrall (sic) Drive-In at Hudson, Colo., which opens this town to films.”
Was there a second (or third) theater in Limon’s history, or just one that was renamed a few times? The evidence I’ve found supports the latter conclusion.
The first reference I could find to a Limon theater was in the Jan. 5, 1918 Moving Picture World: “Sharon Springs, Kan. – Mrs. Henrietta Pope has sold her picture show and has bought a show at Limon, Colo.” Later that summer, that magazine included the Elite Theatre of Limon in its Pershing Crusader Roll of Honor.
The next news I found was from 1928 issues of Film Daily. Sept. 16: “Limon, Colo. – Free shows are presented at the Auditorium here each Saturday afternoon for the benefit of local merchants.” And in the Nov. 15 issue: “Limon, Colo. – The Auditorium 250-seat house owned by John Blair was destroyed by fire, caused by an overheated furnace.”
Someone rebuilt the Auditorium, because it went through some ownership changes in 1931-32, according to notes in Film Daily.
Variety reported on April 25, 1933 that the Auditorium had closed (again).
On Jan. 15, 1938, Film Daily reported that National Theatre Supply Co.’s Denver office supplied “to the Auditorium Theater, Limon, Colo., two Simplex Acme sound projectors complete and Walker Silversheet sound screen”. Which suggests that the theater was being remodeled or rebuilt but hadn’t changed its name yet.
As JimRankin wrote, the theater’s owner at this point was Egon W. G. Wieselmann. A July 13, 1940 Boxoffice note still called it the Auditorium, but an earlier note in the Motion Picture Herald said it was the Cactus.
The rest of my notes confirm JimRankin’s account. On May 5, 1945, Boxoffice wrote, “John L. Steele, rancher, has bought the Cactus Theatre, Limon, Colo., from E. W. G. Weiselmann, who plans to take a lengthy vacation before returning to the theatre business.” By the end of the year, Showmen’s Trade Review noted that Weiselmann was “operating a manufacturing company in Colorado Springs.” And on Sept. 10, 1949, the STR wrote, “Roy Steele has sold the Cactus, Limon, Colo., to Sam Feinstein and Charles McCarthy.”
Found it! A good address for the site is 5201 S Cherokee St, the southwest corner of 53rd Street & US 64.
The drive-in was outlined in a 1978 topo map, but a 1980 aerial photo shows a building there that looks a lot like the building there today. That aerial still showed hints of ramps, but I don’t see them now.
After a sneak preview the night before for employees and invited guests, the Groy Drive-In held its Grand Opening on May 12, 1950, according to notes in the Salida Daily Mail-Record that week. Its opening program was “The Michigan Kid” plus “Urubu” and other short subjects.
“Ben and Louis Groy, Salida residents for many years, have been overseeing the construction of their outdoor theatre for the past several weeks. Located but a short distance across from the Little River Motel and Cafe, it is easily accessible for tourists who are passing thru on Highway 50.”
Ben and Louis took out a three-column display ad the following Monday to say “Thanks to the wonderful people of Salida” for making their Grand Opening “a huge success”.
The Star held its Grand Opening on Friday, July 1, 1955, based on a front-page story in that day’s Monte Vista Journal. It was owned and managed by Mr. and Mrs. George Kelloff, “who are moving to Monte Vista and will occupy an apartment at the theatre site.” The opening program was “Gypsy Colt” and a cartoon carnival. The drive-in held 500 cars and had been built “on the old airport site.”
The Frontier Drive-In held its grand opening on Saturday, May 14, 1955, based on a front-page story in the previous day’s issue of the Monte Vista Journal. Admission was free for the opening, which featured the movie “Warpath”.
The drive-in was described “eleven miles north of Monte Vista on the Gunbarrel,” the locals' name for US 285, which has no curves in that stretch. It was owned by Herb and Theta Gumpers, who also owned the Center Theatre, the La Jara Theatre, and the Round-Up Drive-In in La Jara.
“Gumpers has constructed the theatre screen and installations himself.” The screen was 44x80 feet, and the lot held 320 cars. Walter Nichols was the manager.
The Grand Opening for the Island Acres was on Friday, July 22, 1955, based on the top front-page story in that week’s Gunnison News-Champion. The first program was “The Fast and the Furious” (the 1954 version), “The Law vs. Billy the Kid,” and “always a cartoon”.
The Grand Opening of the Valley was on Friday, Aug. 19, 1955, based on an ad in the previous day’s issue of The Paonian. The opening program was “Timberjack,” “Trouble in Store,” and a cartoon.
The Paonia held its grand opening on June 7, 1957, based on a front-page article the previous day in The Paonian. Owner Tom Poulos said that some of the equipment hadn’t yet arrived, but the incomplete theater would open on schedule.
The drive-in had 260 speakers and a 78x34-foot screen. “Don Poulos, manager of the Paonia and Hotchkiss theatres, will also manage the drive-in.”
The opening program was “Sierra Stranger,” “Walking My Baby Back Home,” a cartoon and a Three Stooges short.
The Uranium had its opening on Sunday, March 13, 1954, showing “War Paint” and “Africa Screams,” based on a report six days later in the Nucla Forum. Bill Moore opened the place even though the concession stand was incomplete; its first ad in that newspaper was that March 19 edition. Moore said he planned a double feature every night of the week.
The drive-in was still advertising in 1976, and it stayed on the Motion Picture Almanacs' drive-in lists through the final list in 1988.
In its May 7, 1949 issue, Boxoffice raved about the soon-to-open Bel-Air’s sign: “The largest Illinois sign ever to be displayed in Will county is now under construction by the Lotz Sign Co. The sign is being manufactured for the Bel Air Theatre Co. and will grace the huge screen tower of the drive-in being built at the southeast junction of Route 66-A and Romeo road, five miles north of Joliet.
“The sign will weigh three-and-a-half tons when it is completed. It will contain 12,000 feet of neon tubing. If stretched in a straight line, that tubing would cover seven city blocks. And the sign will be as wide a Joliet’s main thoroughfare. The letters in it will be more than 12 feet high.”
Boxoffice, Feb. 19, 1949: “Herbert Gumper hopes to be able to open his new 450-seat Fawn, Center, Colo., by Easter.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1949: “CENTER, COLO. – The 434-seat New Center Theatre has opened here following a year of construction work. Owned by Mr. and Mrs. Herb Gumper, the New Center is housed in a 50x20-foot two-story building which houses, in addition to the auditorium, projection booth, cry room and restrooms, two small store spaces on the ground floor and an apartment and three office spaces on the second floor. The Fawn, which has served Center for the past 20 years, will be closed for the present, but will be reopened during the potato harvest in the fall, it was reported.”
Boxoffice, March 19, 1949: “Wyoming drive-ins to be completed for spring opening include the Motor Vu, Cheyenne; Skyline, Casper; Skyline, Rawlins and West, Cody.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1949: “The Motor-Vu 600-car drive-in, Cheyenne, has been opened by Russ Dauterman, Al Knox, O. J. Hazen and Ray Davis”
Boxoffice, April 2, 1949: “Harry Baird, Max Story and E. C. Jones are building a 400-car drive-in at Delta, Colo., leaving room to expand if needed. The spot will open about May 7, and will use Motiograph sound and booth equipment and Service Supply car speakers, all bought from Ted Knox.”
Boxoffice, April 30, 1949 (possibly erroneously anticipating the event): “Mr. and Mrs. Harry Barrett and Max Stotey have opened their new 500-car drive-in at Delta, Colo.”
I wonder whether this drive-in changed its name before or after it opened. From Boxoffice, April 2, 1949: “CASPER, WYO. – April 10 has been set as the opening date for the Adams Drive-In, located near the fairgrounds. At present the theatre is about 60 per cent complete, Robert Adams, head of the enterprise, reported. Finishing touches and installation of equipment are all that remains to be done. The drive-in is owned by Allen and his brothers who also plan to operate an outdoor theatre in Rawlins.”
The opening date lines up with the nameless Boxoffice note three weeks later on April 23, “Robert Adams has opened a 640-car drive-in at Casper, Wyo., with new Motiograph booth equipment, sound and Service Theatre Supply car speakers, sold by Ted Knox”
Boxoffice, April 23, 1949: “F. A. Maller has bought the Isis in Metetsie (sic), from Alfred Triplett”
Anthony L. Vazquez-Hernandez’s article link from Sept. 2006 is now dead, but I found what it might have been at NewsLibrary.com (available through some public libraries, or with money). Vail Daily published an article on July 25, 2003 about the Groy family and the Comanche. A few highlights:
John Sr. and Pearl Groy (for whom Buena Vista’s indoor Pearl was named), opened the Comanche in August 1966. The drive-in lost its final 40 in-car speakers “to lightning” in 2002. At the time of the article, they were still using a two-projector system instead of a platter.