No. 7 Drive-In
3213 N. West Avenue,
El Dorado,
AR
71730
3213 N. West Avenue,
El Dorado,
AR
71730
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Gulf States Theatres
Previous Names: 7 Drive-In
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The 7 Drive-In was the first ozoner in El Dorado, opening on June 25, 1949. Car capacity was listed at 400 cars, with 400 seats for walk-in patrons. In 1950 another two ramps were added, increasing the car capacity to 500. It was closed in May 1976 and has been demolished. Information obtained from the Arkansas Historical Society magazine.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Did this also operate under the name Sky-Vue Drive-In?
Please update address to: 3450 N West Ave El Dorado, AR 71730
Arkansas' longest highway, Highway 7, runs North-South for the length of the state. Traffic was such that it looked to be a picturesque setting for an ozoner and it was named for the road it adjoined. Opening day for the 7 Drive-In was June 25, 1949 opened by C.W. Jones. Jones claimed that the regular theater seat capacity was 400 and that there were spaces for 400 cars at opening. For a brief time was operated by Gulf States Theatres and final operator appears to be Rosenthal Enterprises.
Referred to as the No. 7 Drive-In in 1954 which is reflected in many sources thereafter, the 7 Drive-In provided decades of service to the area before closing and being torn down. And Highway 7 would face pressure, itself, with drivers preferring US 167 to the east and the second-gen created road, Business US 167 running by the 7 Drive-In. Unphased, the location never waivered from its 3117 address though sometimes as 3117 Highway 7 and other times 3117 North West Ave. Tree overgrowth just beyond the El Dorado Inn (3019 N. West Ave.) puts you on the correct side of the road and just to the north you should be able to find some remnant of the old 7 on old 7. Using Historic Aerials, you’ll see its outline clearly in 1994.
Actually Dallas is right looking at historical aerials.
The address for this theater is 3117 N. West Ave (formally Hwy 7), El Dorado AR 71730
When the Seven Drive-In celebrated its second anniversary, manager “Tom Burton announced that two additional ramps, accommodating approximately 100 cars, have been added.” Per a report in the July 1, 1950 issue of BoxOffice.
Closed in the mid-70’s.
Boxoffice, May 31, 1976: “The Seven Drive-In, Eldorado (sic), Ark., and the Mini Theatre, Russellville, Ark., have closed.”
A closer address is 3213 N West Ave, El Dorado, AR.
Google Maps have updated their addresses. This one places it on Zen Leaf El Dorado which sits at the entrance to the property.
A 1983 aerial shows the drive-in intact, but by 1994 the screen and most of the property had been demolished.
Today, you can still see most of the ramps and the foundation for the concession stand/projector booth.
https://tinyurl.com/4p6mwyye