Sunset Drive-In

555 Israel Road SW,
Tumwater, WA 98501

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Showing 10 comments

karen_oly
karen_oly on May 6, 2024 at 9:41 am

I’m putting together a pop-up display about Sunset Drive-in for the City of Tumwater’s “Screen on the Green” event in July. Could I have permission to use some of the photos you’ve posted for my display?

rivest266
rivest266 on March 20, 2022 at 6:12 am

grand opening ad: Sunset Drive-In openingSunset Drive-In opening 02 Sep 1949, Fri The Olympian (Olympia, Washington) Newspapers.com

KenLayton
KenLayton on April 22, 2020 at 7:35 pm

Thanks for posting those pictures. They are so crystal clear. Do you have any more? I spent ten years working there before it closed.

fmccaslin
fmccaslin on April 22, 2020 at 10:53 am

I have added several photos from the Joe Basil collection. Joe managed the Sunset from about 1952-54 for United Drive-Ins, of which his father, A. G. Basil, of Raymond, WA was a partner. I was a ten year old kid at the time and spent many happy times at the Sunset, including a trip to the top of the screen on one occasion! Joe passed away in 2013 and I ended up with the old Sunset negatives. Finally got around to scanning them and finding this site to post them. I am delighted to have a place to share them after so many years have passed by.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on March 23, 2020 at 6:44 pm

Opened with “Mother is a freshman” and “Canadian Pacific”.

KenLayton
KenLayton on January 4, 2015 at 7:34 pm

I have now added the hand drawn map of the property I made.

KenLayton
KenLayton on December 6, 2011 at 11:34 am

The Point Tavern, which at one time hosted the theater marquee on top of it’s building, has been torn down and replaced with a brand new 7-11 store.

KenLayton
KenLayton on August 18, 2011 at 11:52 am

Aerial picture of the theater in 1957. This was long before the Tumwater High School was built across the street from the theater. Here is the link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58299528@N05/5375209553/

KenLayton
KenLayton on August 16, 2011 at 9:33 pm

1949 to 1951 Berg & Miller owned the theater.

1951 to 1954 United Drive-ins owned the theater.

1954 to 1977 The Zabel family owned the theater.

1977 to 1986 Tom Moyer’s Luxury Theatres owned the theater.

KenLayton
KenLayton on June 17, 2011 at 10:00 am

Nearby theaters: Regal Martin Village 16, Lacey Drive-in, Capitol Theater, State Theater, Avalon Theater, Rex Theater, Ray Theater, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Century Olympia 14, Skyline Drive-in, Shelton Cinemas, Yelm Cinemas.