Midway Drive-In
10524 I-20 Frontage Road,
Merkel,
TX
79536
10524 I-20 Frontage Road,
Merkel,
TX
79536
1 person
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: H & H Theatre Co.
Previous Names: Pioneer Drive-In
Nearby Theaters
The Pioneer Drive-In opened on August 25, 1950 with Rory Calhoun in County Fair". It was operated by H.T. Hodge of H & H Theatres. In 1957 it was still known as the Pioneer Drive-In, but was later renamed Midway Drive-In. When I found and photographed the Midway Drive-In about 25 years ago it had a screen and ticket booth that were standing but had just about been overgrown with mesquite, brush and weeds.
Contributed by
Don Lewis
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
My 1956 Almamac has a PIONEER DRIVE-In there parking 350 cars.
Do not loose that book Mike.
I will put it in my will to you. Nick has one i gave him I think 1960. If I had another I would mail it you for free. oh, It might cost you a 007 onesheet.
Go to 104 Street Drive-in.Tlsloews. Try and beat that story. You big city Theatre managers.
The location of the drive-in is on north side of US 84 (which is also I-20)about one mile west of Merkel. Heading on I-20 Frontage Road, it is on the right just past County Road 379.
Here is an aerial photo from 1954, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/94E5tP
Looks like the drive-in opened as the Pioneer. The July 8, 1950 issue of BoxOffice reported, “MERKEL, TEX. – N. T. Hodge has opened the Pioneer Drive-In a mile west of town. It has a prefabricated swing-up tower, the first of its kind in the state. It is a 300-car project, with individual car speakers. Hodge operates the Queen and Texas theatres here.”
A more accurate address is 10701 I-20 Frontage Rd, Merkel, Texas.
Billboard, Sept. 20, 1952: “Norman T. Hodge has added several improvements to his Pioneer Drive-In at Merkle, Tex.” (But the note didn’t mention what they were.)
Norman Hodge of H&H Theatres Circuit announced the Pioneer Drive-In in February of 1950 opening on August 25, 1950 with “County Fair.”
A closer address is 10524 I-20, Merkel, TX.
Google Maps has updated their addresses and this puts it in the middle of the property.
By 1976, the projection booth/concession stand had been demolished and the drive-in was considerably overgrown. Indicated that it had been closed for some time.
Today, it is a private residence with no trace of the drive-in remaining. Although the mesquite trees form the basic outline.
https://tinyurl.com/3k5s7nxk