99 W Drive-In

This is an absolute gem of a Drive-In. The projection has always been top-notch, even before digital. It can fill up early on the weekends so it’s best to come early. The Francis family has run it for decades. The two indoor theaters are closed but the restrooms are available for the drive-n patrons to use. Very nostalgic snack bar, as well.

Here’s the link to its National Register of Historic Places entry: https://www.nps.gov/nr/feature/places/14000401.htm

The Newberg Graphic said in a 2016 article that there had been a twin-screen indoor theater on the drive-in property. It showed hand-me-down prints from the downtown Cameo and the 99W. When both went digital, they “opted to close the twin theaters and utilize some of the freed-up space for additional parking for the drive-in screen.” But even with that, the Graphic said that only “(b)etween 250 and 300 cars can fit in the drive-in space”.

Yup, congratulations are in order. They won a video projector from Honda’s contest. :)

The 99W is winner #5 from Honda’s ProjectDriveIn. Still waiting to hear when the conversion process will be done.

The 99W Drive-In has changed little over the past 50 years. It has remained in the same family and the snackbar is quite original and fun. In the projection booth reel to reel change overs are still being performed as they were in the good old days. In between features there is a vintage intermission reel to add to the atmosphere. Historical value is very important here as it is at the Cameo theatre across town. Showing support to vintage theatres is getting more important as larger multi-plexes try to bully their way into small towns.