Boxoffice, Sept. 7, 1957: “The new North Vernon Drive-In officially opened recently. Howard L. Black, owner, reports he had an overcapacity attendance all that weekend with "Far Country” and “Johnny Dark.” The theatre accommodates 360 cars with space available for an additional 150. Black, a native of North Vernon, is new to the theatre business and will operate the drive-in along with his two sons."
The “Bayouland” advertised in the 1955 Donaldsonville High School yearbook. Please add the no-space, single-word alternative spelling to Previous Names.
The 1989 Nashville High School yearbook included a photo (uploaded here) and a short note:
“The Howard Auto Theater had been in business about 30 years. Mr. John Johnson had owned it for the past eight. Because it was more profitable, the drive-in remained open even after the Elberta Theater downtown was sold.”
I might have an answer from the Leo Theatre, Inc. ad in the 1954 Hooks High School yearbook. In addition to the “Loop Drive-In, North State Line Avenue,” it promoted the “Joy Drive-In, New Boston and Robinson Road.”
My guess is that this one was always the Joy until it closed, probably in 1963.
I’ve got to agree with Kenmore. The 1970 aerial shows a vacant lot.
OTOH, there was an old Joy Drive-In - it advertised in the 1954 (Texarkana) Texas High School yearbook. My guess is that the old one closed and this new twin drive-in was built farther out of town.
I’ve moved my remarks and notes to the new “Red River Drive-In” page here. Since I noticed a second drive-in on the Texas side in the 1960 topo map, my guess is that 7th Street drive-in was named Red River, leaving the New Boston Road drive-in’s name still unknown to me. Maybe it was the Joy, explaining this weird note:
Boxoffice, June 3, 1963: “Joy’s Theatres closed the Joy Drive-In, Texarkana, and reopened the Red River Drive-In, rechristened the Joy”
If you look at the 1960 topo map, there were two drive-in on the Texas side of the border. One was southwest on 7th Street (US 67), the other (this one) just west of town on US 82. Based on the ad below, I’d guess that the southwest drive-in was the Red River, leaving the name of this one still unknown. If someone wants to ask a Texarkana historian, we could probably get a quick answer.
Article from Feb 5, 1965 The Paris News (Paris, Texas)
Anyway, here’s my bag of clips for the Red River, wherever it was:
The Exhibitor, July 2, 1952: “Joel Bluestone will handle the buying and booking for Mrs. Paul Ketchum’s State and Red River Drive-In, Texarkana, Tex.” Then on Aug. 13 that year: “Mrs. Ruth Ketchum opened her new Red River Drive-In, Texarkana, Ark. (?), in grand style.”
The Exhibitor, April 6, 1955: “Horace Fall, H. R. Fall buying and booking service, Dallas, purchased the Red River Drive-In, Texarkana, Tex., from Mrs. Ruth Ketchum.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, July 1, 1959: “E. L. Walker, Harry McKenna, and Horace Falls, are making repairs to the screen tower of the Red River Drive In at Texarkana, Tex., which suffered heavy damages in a heavy wind storm.”
Boxoffice, March 28, 1960: “TEXARKANA — Purchase of the Red River Drive-In on West Seventh by Houck & Powers Theatres has been announced by L. D. Powers. The new owners have closed the drive-in for remodeling and redecoration and will reopen around April 1. Movies booked will be the “latest and the best,” according to Powers, who has been in theatre business 21 years. His partner, Joy Houck, has been in exhibition 30 years and also produces pictures. They plan to redesign the concessions stand, repair speakers, repaint the building and improve the ramp area. The drive-in was built eight years ago, formerly owned by Eldon Peek of Oklahoma City. “We have faith in Texarkana and its future and in show business,” Powers said. He and Houck also own the Leo, the Joy Drive-In and a theatre in Prescott, Ark.”
There’s a confusing note in the June 3, 1963 edition of Boxoffice. “Joy’s Theatres closed the Joy Drive-In, Texarkana, and reopened the Red River Drive-In, rechristened the Joy”
Boxoffice, Dec. 7, 1964: “Corelite lamps were sold recently by National Theatre Supply to … Joy N. Houck for the Red River Drive-In, Texarkana”
The 1965 edition of the Motio Picture Almanac was the first to notice the Red River, owner Houck & Powers, Inc., capacity 525, listed under Texarkano. (sigh) A few years later, the MPA list went on autopilot for a decade, so it stayed that way through 1976. When the MPA rebooted its drive-in list for its 1977 edition, the Red River (or Joy) was gone, of course.
The Exhibitor, Nov. 26, 1952: “Engelbrecht and Wolf and Theatre Enterprises opened the new 300-car Red River Drive-In, Clarksville, Tex. Bert Holster, manager, Avalon and Texan, is in charge, and J. T. Roberts has been named drive-in manager.”
Just sayin', if this drive-in opened as the Red River and is later remembered as the Red River, what evidence do we have that it was ever the Rex?
The “Paramount & Desert Drive-In Theaters” advertised in the 1967 and 1969 editions of the Casa Grande Union High School yearbook, the Cougar.
A 1983 aerial photo showed the Desert still intact, but it had been split into two parcels by 1996. The west side is now the building and parking area for 240 W. Cottonwood Lane; the east (which included the screen) is the RV and boat storage lot at 140 W. Cottonwood Lane.
Boxoffice, June 29, 1964: “The Roundup Drive-In, part of the Foreman-Nace chain, has added two car ramps and now has a 972-car capacity, compared to the original 740. Boxoffices were added to handle the larger crowds, snack bar space was doubled, and additional restrooms were provided. The Roundup is managed by Virgil Rowe”
Kenmore is correct about Google Maps' Gold Street address, but that would only prove that the targeted building gets its mail from Chehalis. The businesses that actually border Gold Street show a Centralia address.
Google Maps continues to indicate that the Centralia city limits include the old Twin City site. Since the drive-in was historically associated with Centralia, it’s a shame to need to search Chehalis to find it.
I’d guess that the drive-in eventually changed its name to the Hillside Drive-In, which advertised in the 1968 and 1969 editions of the Bridger High School yearbook, the Scout. The 1970 edition had an ad for the “Hellside Drive-In,” a typo that the undersigned Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Jares and Family probably didn’t like.
The Star advertised, along with the Hillside Drive-In, in the 1968 and 1969 editions of the Bridger High School yearbook, the Scout. The ad was signed Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Jares & Family, Bridger.
The O'Hadi (with an apostrophe) advertised in the 1961 Plummer High School yearbook, the Elsquitut.
The drive-in was missing from a 1954 aerial photo. Topo maps in 1959 and 1966 showed a northwest-facing screen close to 8th Street. The 1982 topo map showed the screen another 200 feet north, matching its location in a 1975 photo. The drive-in was still there in 1981, but gone by 1998.
Boxoffice, Sept. 7, 1957: “The new North Vernon Drive-In officially opened recently. Howard L. Black, owner, reports he had an overcapacity attendance all that weekend with "Far Country” and “Johnny Dark.” The theatre accommodates 360 cars with space available for an additional 150. Black, a native of North Vernon, is new to the theatre business and will operate the drive-in along with his two sons."
The “Bayouland” advertised in the 1955 Donaldsonville High School yearbook. Please add the no-space, single-word alternative spelling to Previous Names.
The 1989 Nashville High School yearbook included a photo (uploaded here) and a short note:
“The Howard Auto Theater had been in business about 30 years. Mr. John Johnson had owned it for the past eight. Because it was more profitable, the drive-in remained open even after the Elberta Theater downtown was sold.”
Boxoffice, Jan. 28, 1950: “CONSTRUCTION: Benton, Ark. - $50,000, 400-car Big 4 Drive-In under way for Big 4 Drive-In Corp.”
I might have an answer from the Leo Theatre, Inc. ad in the 1954 Hooks High School yearbook. In addition to the “Loop Drive-In, North State Line Avenue,” it promoted the “Joy Drive-In, New Boston and Robinson Road.”
My guess is that this one was always the Joy until it closed, probably in 1963.
I’ve got to agree with Kenmore. The 1970 aerial shows a vacant lot.
OTOH, there was an old Joy Drive-In - it advertised in the 1954 (Texarkana) Texas High School yearbook. My guess is that the old one closed and this new twin drive-in was built farther out of town.
I’ve moved my remarks and notes to the new “Red River Drive-In” page here. Since I noticed a second drive-in on the Texas side in the 1960 topo map, my guess is that 7th Street drive-in was named Red River, leaving the New Boston Road drive-in’s name still unknown to me. Maybe it was the Joy, explaining this weird note:
Boxoffice, June 3, 1963: “Joy’s Theatres closed the Joy Drive-In, Texarkana, and reopened the Red River Drive-In, rechristened the Joy”
If you look at the 1960 topo map, there were two drive-in on the Texas side of the border. One was southwest on 7th Street (US 67), the other (this one) just west of town on US 82. Based on the ad below, I’d guess that the southwest drive-in was the Red River, leaving the name of this one still unknown. If someone wants to ask a Texarkana historian, we could probably get a quick answer.
Anyway, here’s my bag of clips for the Red River, wherever it was:
The Exhibitor, July 2, 1952: “Joel Bluestone will handle the buying and booking for Mrs. Paul Ketchum’s State and Red River Drive-In, Texarkana, Tex.” Then on Aug. 13 that year: “Mrs. Ruth Ketchum opened her new Red River Drive-In, Texarkana, Ark. (?), in grand style.”
The Exhibitor, April 6, 1955: “Horace Fall, H. R. Fall buying and booking service, Dallas, purchased the Red River Drive-In, Texarkana, Tex., from Mrs. Ruth Ketchum.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, July 1, 1959: “E. L. Walker, Harry McKenna, and Horace Falls, are making repairs to the screen tower of the Red River Drive In at Texarkana, Tex., which suffered heavy damages in a heavy wind storm.”
Boxoffice, March 28, 1960: “TEXARKANA — Purchase of the Red River Drive-In on West Seventh by Houck & Powers Theatres has been announced by L. D. Powers. The new owners have closed the drive-in for remodeling and redecoration and will reopen around April 1. Movies booked will be the “latest and the best,” according to Powers, who has been in theatre business 21 years. His partner, Joy Houck, has been in exhibition 30 years and also produces pictures. They plan to redesign the concessions stand, repair speakers, repaint the building and improve the ramp area. The drive-in was built eight years ago, formerly owned by Eldon Peek of Oklahoma City. “We have faith in Texarkana and its future and in show business,” Powers said. He and Houck also own the Leo, the Joy Drive-In and a theatre in Prescott, Ark.”
There’s a confusing note in the June 3, 1963 edition of Boxoffice. “Joy’s Theatres closed the Joy Drive-In, Texarkana, and reopened the Red River Drive-In, rechristened the Joy”
Boxoffice, Dec. 7, 1964: “Corelite lamps were sold recently by National Theatre Supply to … Joy N. Houck for the Red River Drive-In, Texarkana”
The 1965 edition of the Motio Picture Almanac was the first to notice the Red River, owner Houck & Powers, Inc., capacity 525, listed under Texarkano. (sigh) A few years later, the MPA list went on autopilot for a decade, so it stayed that way through 1976. When the MPA rebooted its drive-in list for its 1977 edition, the Red River (or Joy) was gone, of course.
I am so confused! As I type, the address for this drive-in is: 4411 W. 7th Street, Texarkana, AR 75501
But 4411 W 7th and Zip Code 75501 are both on the Texas side of the border.
The 1960 topo map shows the 7th Street drive-in as one of two on the Texas side in Texarkana. Was either of them ever the Loop?
The Exhibitor, Nov. 26, 1952: “Engelbrecht and Wolf and Theatre Enterprises opened the new 300-car Red River Drive-In, Clarksville, Tex. Bert Holster, manager, Avalon and Texan, is in charge, and J. T. Roberts has been named drive-in manager.”
Just sayin', if this drive-in opened as the Red River and is later remembered as the Red River, what evidence do we have that it was ever the Rex?
This article refers to Clarksville’s old drive-in as the Red River.
More specifically, from the 1956 Pleasant Grove High School yearbook, the Bobcat.
The drive-in still advertised in the 1983 Augusta High School yearbook, the Augustan.
Since the Hays High School yearbook was published without a copyright notice, its contents should be in the public domain.
This place advertised as the “Clark Drive-In, Summer Hill, Illinois” in the 1963 Louisiana (MO) High School yearbook, the Alamo.
Considering that was also its name in 1950s industry notes, Clark Drive-In should be another Previous Name here.
“Spencer’s Drive-In Theater” advertised in the 1977 Doniphan High School yearbook, the Don.
The 1977 Motion Picture Almanac still listed it as the Stadium, owned by D. Spencer. That’s how it stayed through the final MPA drive-in list in 1988.
This drive-in advertised as the “New 50 Drive-In” in the 1960 St. Teresa’s Academy yearbook, the Avila.
The “Paramount & Desert Drive-In Theaters” advertised in the 1967 and 1969 editions of the Casa Grande Union High School yearbook, the Cougar.
A 1983 aerial photo showed the Desert still intact, but it had been split into two parcels by 1996. The west side is now the building and parking area for 240 W. Cottonwood Lane; the east (which included the screen) is the RV and boat storage lot at 140 W. Cottonwood Lane.
Boxoffice, June 29, 1964: “The Roundup Drive-In, part of the Foreman-Nace chain, has added two car ramps and now has a 972-car capacity, compared to the original 740. Boxoffices were added to handle the larger crowds, snack bar space was doubled, and additional restrooms were provided. The Roundup is managed by Virgil Rowe”
Kenmore is correct about Google Maps' Gold Street address, but that would only prove that the targeted building gets its mail from Chehalis. The businesses that actually border Gold Street show a Centralia address.
Google Maps continues to indicate that the Centralia city limits include the old Twin City site. Since the drive-in was historically associated with Centralia, it’s a shame to need to search Chehalis to find it.
The spelling of Odle or Olde seemed to alternate in every mention. So far, I haven’t tracked down which was accurate. Here’s a bag of clips.
Variety, Feb. 25, 1942: “Boyd Buss enlisted in the Army, - closing his Mesa, Norwood. Colo.”
Showman’s Trade Review, Oct. 5, 1946: “Chas. Asmus has bought the Mesa, Norwood, Colo., from Boyd Buss.”
Motion Picture Herald, Nov. 22, 1947: “C. H. Ausmus has sold the Mesa, Norwood, Colo., to James Olde.”
Showman’s Trade Review, Nov. 22, 1947: “James Odle has bought the Mesa, Norwood, Colo., from C. H. Ausmus.”
Boxoffice, Nov. 22, 1947: “exhibitors seen on (Denver) Filmrow included … James Olde, Norwood.”
Variety, June 23, 1954: “Reuben Stroh, owner of the Nuggett, Telluride, Colo., bought the Mesa, Norwood, Colo., from James Odle.”
Boxoffice, May 8, 1937: “The following closings have been reported: … Norwood, Norwood, Colo.”
I’d guess that the drive-in eventually changed its name to the Hillside Drive-In, which advertised in the 1968 and 1969 editions of the Bridger High School yearbook, the Scout. The 1970 edition had an ad for the “Hellside Drive-In,” a typo that the undersigned Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Jares and Family probably didn’t like.
The Star advertised, along with the Hillside Drive-In, in the 1968 and 1969 editions of the Bridger High School yearbook, the Scout. The ad was signed Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Jares & Family, Bridger.
The O'Hadi (with an apostrophe) advertised in the 1961 Plummer High School yearbook, the Elsquitut.
The drive-in was missing from a 1954 aerial photo. Topo maps in 1959 and 1966 showed a northwest-facing screen close to 8th Street. The 1982 topo map showed the screen another 200 feet north, matching its location in a 1975 photo. The drive-in was still there in 1981, but gone by 1998.