Jerome Auto Theatre

According to a local history book, the Jerome Auto Theatre opened on May 20, 1948 with Randolph Scott in “Abilene Town”. The Time-News advertisements billed it as “A locally owned enterprise”, and it was operated by Austin Kennedy. At the time the location was outside of the city limits and the address was described as being north and east of city.

On June 11, 1955 Harris-Voeller Theatres opened the Rio Rey Drive-In and the Auto Theatre dropped out of the Time-News listings in early-July of 1956. It had been demolished by 1957.

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MichaelKilgore on April 3, 2023 at 2:00 am

Boxoffice, May 8, 1948: “Russ Tweedy has built a drive-in at Jerome, Ida.”

Boxoffice, May 22, 1948: “Jerome, Ida. — Russ Tweedy chose a spot in the center of this community to build a drive-in theatre. The area was fringed by homes and the screen tower was plainly visible from the windows. Fearful that the neighbors might protest his location, Tweedy decided to let them in on the act. He installed in-car speakers at their windows.”

Kenmore on April 3, 2023 at 3:01 am

A closer address is 321 10th Ave E, Jerome, ID.

A 1957 aerial shows what’s left of the drive-in. The north side ran along 10th Avenue with the west side lining up with North Buchanan Street. The screen was on the east side, but it was gone by 1957.

You can see the ramps, but it has clearly been demolished. In fact, it’s difficult to tell where the main entrance might have been.

Today, the property has been taken over by housing. There is no trace of the drive-in remaining.

https://tinyurl.com/yck6jr5k