Rancho Verde Drive-In
12200 W. Hobsonway,
Blythe,
CA
92225
12200 W. Hobsonway,
Blythe,
CA
92225
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The Rancho Verde Drive-In was operated in 1955 by Robert Dunnegan and had a capacity for 500 cars. Capacity in the early-1960’s was 375 cars. Operator was H.D. Dunagan.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
Here are some photos of the Rancho Verde:
http://tinyurl.com/35pc4m
The address listed is incorrect.
The address for this Drive-in is 12200 W Hobsonway, Blythe, CA 92225. This is at S Defrain Blvd not Main Street.
The screen base is still there. Most ramps are still visible.
Please update.
The site has now been completely cleared and looks like its now farm land? Nothing at all now remains.
Boxoffice, June 18, 1965: “INDIO, CALIF. - Robert L. Lippert, E. Van Gortel and the Indio Co., owners of the Aladdin and Desert theatres and the Indio Drive-In here, have purchased three additional theatres in Blythe … Van Gortel, spokesman for the local company, said two indoor houses and a drive-in were acquired from Bob Dunnigan, owner of the Blythe properties since 1933.”
Korean War materials restrictions paused a lot of drive-in development. For example…
Boxoffice, July 22, 1950: “BLYTHE, CALIF. – Construction has begun on a new 350-car drive-in by Dave Jarvis and Bob Dunagan, who already operate two conventional theatres here. Architect Howard Elwell has also provided facilities for 200 walk-in customers via a covered and air conditioned structure.”
Boxoffice, March 15, 1952: “Dave Jarvis, operator of the Hub Theatre in Blythe, has broken ground for a 500-car ozoner there.”