Austin Drive-In
4454 NW Cache Road,
Lawton,
OK
73505
4454 NW Cache Road,
Lawton,
OK
73505
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The Aug. 28, 1983 issue of the Daily Oklahoman had a long article on drive-ins, quoting Volney Hamm, another Lawton drive-in owner:
“The first one in the state was right here in Lawton,” he says. “It was built by the Austin brothers and the whole thing was concrete - the fence, the tower (screen), everything. The Austin Drive-In. They were concrete boys and they used the stuff like a carpenter uses wood.”
The Austin also had the old-fashioned central speaker, Hamm says. He remembers that “when the wind was out of the northwest I could hear it a mile away.”
Boxoffice, July 14, 1956: “Joe Turner, sole owner of the Lawton Theatre Co., sold a major interest in the firm to Video (Theatres) and J. R. Montgomery, Lawton banker. Turner will retire from active operation of the Dome and Murray theatres in downtown Lawton, the Austin Drive-In, west of the city, and the Vaska Theatre in the suburban area. He will remain as a partner of Video and Montgomery and serve on the Video board of directors.”
Austin was the owners last name
Why was it called Austin(it’s not in Austin, Texas)?
Opened May 14, 1946 as Austin’s Drive-In Theatre with “Meet Me In St. Louis.” Closed October 12, 1971 as the Austin Drive-In Theatre with “The Dirty Dozen” and “Shaft.” Not a bad way to go! The next night, many of the Austin employees would shift to the 82nd St. Twin Drive-In that was built to replace the 25-year old Austin. The Austin was very likely at the end of a lease cycle.
Listed as far back as 1946. Closed in 1971 when the 82nd St. Twin DI opened.
From 1968-1971 The Austin Drive in was owned by my great grandparents, Earl Austin.
Okay, Cactus Jack the Austin drive in held 600 cars and was owned in the late 50’s by Joe Turner.
This drive-in was at 4454 Cache Rd.