Eugene Drive-In
2858 S. Willamette Street,
Eugene,
OR
97405
2858 S. Willamette Street,
Eugene,
OR
97405
1 person
favorited this theater
The Eugene Drive-In had two different locations during its 40 seasons in Eugene. It opened at 2858 S. Willamette Street, the first location, on July 29, 1948. During the 1960’s, while operated by Moyer Theaters of Portland, they began to feature first-run movies. In July and August of 1962 there was a six-week run of the “The Music Man" starring Robert Preston. The theater closed, apparently for good, on September 11, 1962 when its listing dropped out of the Eugene Register-Guard.
It had a replacement though because the New Eugene Drive-In had opened the previous July 22 at 1400 Henderson Avenue (it has its own page on Cinema Treasures). Beginning in the 1963 season the New Eugene Drive-In, also operated by Moyer, reverted to the name the Eugene Drive-In. According to newspaper advertisements, while under the Moyer Theatres banner, it closed after the 1987 season.
The Spokane Daily Chronicle said on November 23, 1988 that Moyer Theaters, also known as Luxury Theaters, was the 11th largest theater chain in the country. They operated 293 screens at 87 locations in Oregon, Washington, California, Alaska, Idaho and Nevada. At that time Tom Moyer agreed to sell his theater holdings to Act III Theatres of San Antonio, Texas.
Contributed by
Ron Pierce
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Recent comments (view all 3 comments)
Boxoffice, April 2, 1949: “New feature of the Eugene Drive-In, opening for its second season, is a pony ring, with six shetland ponies to provide rides before the shows free of charge for children. The ozoner is located at 2860 South Willamette St., near the intersection of the Lorane Road. L. M. Wirtz is the manager.”
Interestingly enough, the demolished remains of the Eugene Drive-In were still present in a 1965 aerial. So it wasn’t immediately turned into a shopping mall. Although you can see construction equipment in the aerial, so it was happening by 1965.
Now PetSmart @ 2858 Willamette St, Eugene, OR 97405.
It was closed by 1978 according to Historical Aerials.
Please update.