Pawnee Drive-In
4426 Rodeo Road,
North Platte,
NE
69101
4426 Rodeo Road,
North Platte,
NE
69101
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Opened with “Black Gold”.
You can still make out the faint hint of ramps and where the concession stand/projection booth once stood.
The status of the Pawnee Drive In Theatre is demolished. From what I can tell, nothing remains.. Demo’d sometime after 2008 as it was still standing in 2008 per googlemaps… RAC Photography
Boxoffice, May 25, 1970: “The screen tower in the Pawnee Drive-In, North Platte, Neb., was completely destroyed in a tornado-like wind. The accident happened during the daylight hours while the theatre was not in operation. The drive-in is operated by Commonwealth Theatres and manager Steve Schenck is hopeful that a new screen can be installed within the next two weeks.”
Boxoffice, Aug. 16, 1952: “Commonwealth Theatres, Kansas City, has bought the Pawnee Drive-In, North Platte, Neb., from W. L. Smith.”
Motion Picture Herald, Aug. 28, 1948: “A. B. Smith putting in a 540-car drive-in at North Platte, Neb.”
Motion Picture Herald, Sept. 25, 1948: “Walter Smith opened his North Platte, Neb., 580-car, $100,000 drive-in September 17.”
Motion Picture Herald, Aug. 28, 1948: “A. B. Smith putting in a 540-car drive-in at North Platte, Neb.”
where can I get a list movies that played at the pawnee drive-in in north platte nebraska
Architected by the drive-in specialists, the Utah firm of Cartright & Wilson, one report has September 18, 1948 as the grand opening date.
Approx. address for this drive-in was 4426 Rodeo Road.
What is the exact address?
hispeed54… Can’t remember right off but it seems like it was where the drive in would need more than he could afford.?? & if I remember correctly, he was an older man & just didn’t have the interest in him anymore.?? (Guessing from what I remember – Remember this was almost 5 yrs ago I took the shots). I would think that the snack bar would either have to be totally renovated or demolish it & start over.. The screen was still in good shape as you can see in the photo(s).. Just sum paint mainly needed. TO bad someone couldn’t get it going again. It was kind of out in the country if I remember right…..
Randy A Carlisle
Randy…Did the owner say anything about why it is still standing after 20 years? Maybe reopen?
This Photo & more can be seen on flickr.com. Photo(s) taken in November of 2007.. Enjoy
Randy A Carlisle – Historical Photographer
A long run for one theatre chain.
Randy it parked 350 cars and was owned in 1956 by COMMONWEALTH THEATRES.