Then this would be different since the loop was incorporated into the original design and then abandoned before the drive-in closed. Most likely because it fell out of use.
When I worked at the 11th Street Drive-In oh, so many years ago, the cars would be sitting on 11th street backed up for a half-mile or more. Needless to say, the police was not amused.
In the 1954 aerial, you can see a loop that extends north from the entrance road and back. By 1966, the loop had faded considerably and by 1981 it was basically gone.
I do not see any playground equipment or small train which was a common feature at drive-ins to entertain the kids. This appears to be an overflow area for cars waiting to enter the drive-in without having to sit on the highway.
But if anyone knows its true purpose, I hope it can be posted here. It is an unusual feature.
Looks like the foundation of the screen is still present. The concession stand/projector booth which is still present as of August 2021 is two stories tall.
A 1955 aerial shows the ramps, but no screen or projection booth/concession stand.
A 1968 aerial shows the same thing.
It’s difficult to believe that the screen and projection booth/concession stand would be built and removed along with their foundations while leaving the ramps intact.
There is the possibility of this being a “temporary drive-in”, where the screen and booth for the projector were only temporary in nature. But such drive-ins rarely have ramps.
I understand the concession stand/projection booth was removed years earlier. But a 2018 aerial shows the outline of the drive-in, the ramps, and entrance/exit roads. That has now all been removed.
The drive-in was still intact in 1971. By 1977, the screen was gone along with the fencing on either side.
It appears that new construction has wiped out what remains of the drive-in. A large building is being constructed on the property along with new frontage roads. There is no trace of the drive-in remaining.
The latest overhead view from Google Maps shows what is left of the drive-in is virtually impossible to see. There is a faint fan-pattern, assuming you squint to see it.
In the most recent overhead from Google Maps, it appears that some of the ramps are still visible. However, since the property is now a housing edition, they may disappear at some point in the near future.
That’s definitely a projection booth sitting atop what is probably the concession stand. Too bad the Google Street Photo is from 2007. It would be nice to see a more recent one.
By 1984, the drive-in was demolished save for the projection booth/concession stand. The foundation of the screen and ticket booth are still present.
A 1982 aerial photo shows the drive-in to be demolished. The only remaining indication is the projection booth/concession stand which is still in place.
I do not know if “demolished” is the proper term since as of October 2021 the drive-in is mostly intact. While the screen tower still stands, most of the panels are gone.
However, the concession stand/projector booth, ticket booth, and ramps are all still present. I think “repurposed” is a better word than “demolished” since it could be re-opened with some renovation work on the screen.
Actually, the drive-in sat across the street from Industrial Contracting & Engineering. The front part of the drive-in is occupied by Moore Oxygen Supply and another business. But most of the drive-in is now occupied by a housing edition with Westside Drive running through the back part.
Today, there is no trace of the drive-in remaining.
Then this would be different since the loop was incorporated into the original design and then abandoned before the drive-in closed. Most likely because it fell out of use.
When I worked at the 11th Street Drive-In oh, so many years ago, the cars would be sitting on 11th street backed up for a half-mile or more. Needless to say, the police was not amused.
In the 1954 aerial, you can see a loop that extends north from the entrance road and back. By 1966, the loop had faded considerably and by 1981 it was basically gone.
I do not see any playground equipment or small train which was a common feature at drive-ins to entertain the kids. This appears to be an overflow area for cars waiting to enter the drive-in without having to sit on the highway.
But if anyone knows its true purpose, I hope it can be posted here. It is an unusual feature.
Looks like the foundation of the screen is still present. The concession stand/projector booth which is still present as of August 2021 is two stories tall.
The drive-in sat behind the auto paint and body shop, but also behind the two properties just to the east as well.
The entire area is overgrown with trees. The screen sat just to the east of the large pond which sits well behind the auto paint and body shop.
Sometime between 2012 and 2019 the screen was removed.
Was this drive-in ever completed?
A 1955 aerial shows the ramps, but no screen or projection booth/concession stand.
A 1968 aerial shows the same thing.
It’s difficult to believe that the screen and projection booth/concession stand would be built and removed along with their foundations while leaving the ramps intact.
There is the possibility of this being a “temporary drive-in”, where the screen and booth for the projector were only temporary in nature. But such drive-ins rarely have ramps.
Sometime between 2009 and 2012 the screen near the road was taken down.
I understand the concession stand/projection booth was removed years earlier. But a 2018 aerial shows the outline of the drive-in, the ramps, and entrance/exit roads. That has now all been removed.
The drive-in was still intact in 1971. By 1977, the screen was gone along with the fencing on either side.
All traces of the drive-in, save for its outline and entrance/exit roads have been removed.
It appears that new construction has wiped out what remains of the drive-in. A large building is being constructed on the property along with new frontage roads. There is no trace of the drive-in remaining.
It also appears that the remains of the projection booth/concession stand are still present.
A closer address is 2805 U.S. 180, Mineral Wells, TX. This is the address of a liquor store that sits on what was the entrance to the old drive-in.
The concession stand/projector booth still stands as of August 2021. Although it’s clear it has not been in use for a long time.
https://tinyurl.com/4dv434nm
The latest overhead view from Google Maps shows what is left of the drive-in is virtually impossible to see. There is a faint fan-pattern, assuming you squint to see it.
Entire property now has a hospital. No trace of the old drive-in remaining.
In the most recent overhead from Google Maps, it appears that some of the ramps are still visible. However, since the property is now a housing edition, they may disappear at some point in the near future.
New construction has wiped out all traces of the drive-in.
That’s definitely a projection booth sitting atop what is probably the concession stand. Too bad the Google Street Photo is from 2007. It would be nice to see a more recent one.
By 1984, the drive-in was demolished save for the projection booth/concession stand. The foundation of the screen and ticket booth are still present.
A 1982 aerial photo shows the drive-in to be demolished. The only remaining indication is the projection booth/concession stand which is still in place.
Given that the ad describes it as the “old Charma Drive-In”, that indicates it is closed. Especially since there is no “new” Charma theater around.
This happened in Enid, Oklahoma a few years ago when a long-closed drive-in had a movie shown on its screen shortly before it was torn down.
As of August 2018 from Google Street View, the projection booth/concession stand still stands.
And, what may be part of the screen foundation is still present. It’s in the exact location, but only occupies part of what was the screen.
For a drive-in that was difficult to see from the air even when fully operational, there is quite a bit left even after becoming private property ;)
I do not know if “demolished” is the proper term since as of October 2021 the drive-in is mostly intact. While the screen tower still stands, most of the panels are gone.
However, the concession stand/projector booth, ticket booth, and ramps are all still present. I think “repurposed” is a better word than “demolished” since it could be re-opened with some renovation work on the screen.
Actually, the drive-in sat across the street from Industrial Contracting & Engineering. The front part of the drive-in is occupied by Moore Oxygen Supply and another business. But most of the drive-in is now occupied by a housing edition with Westside Drive running through the back part.
Today, there is no trace of the drive-in remaining.
A 1984 aerial shows the screen no longer present. A new entrance was put in at the currently listed address.
The old entrance to the drive-in when it was operational is approximately 2100 NM-478, Anthony, NM. The old entrance is no more.
The drive-in was demolished sometime between 1981 and 1995. Today, it is a big, empty, and overgrown field. You can still make out the ramps.