Pioneer Drive-In
2099 SE 14th Street,
Des Moines,
IA
50320
2099 SE 14th Street,
Des Moines,
IA
50320
1 person
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The Pioneer closed on a high note after with a Cheech & Chong triple feature with “Cheech & Chong’s Up in Smoke,” “Cheech & Chong’s Still Smokin'” and “Cheech & Chong’s Next Movie.” Despite strong snack sales on September 11, 1983, the venue didn’t open the next season.
Boxoffice, July 8, 1963: “Nature put on quite a performance with an early evening windstorm Friday, June 29 … the Pioneer’s attractions board was a crumpled shambles following the 70-mile-an-hour blow.”
After closing in 1987, A bit of the traces became an AutoRama RV Center, but otherwise the entire theater was still attached until the parking traces were converted into a parking lot for RVs in the latter half of the 1990s. As of 2022, the screen was still there, mainly covered by trees.
Variety, June 24, 1964: “Richard L. Davis … manages the Pioneer Drive-In Theater … (which) is being remodeled at this time, with 200 speakers being added.”
August 19th, 1959 grand opening ad in photo section.