Diane Drive-In
205 S. 10th Street,
Lander,
WY
82520
205 S. 10th Street,
Lander,
WY
82520
1 person
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The Diane Drive-In was located just south of the local high school on the west side of town.
Opened in October 1949 when it was operated by A.M. Goodrich. In October 1969 it was taken over by Theatre Operators Inc. The drive-in flourished into the early-1990’s. However, at some later point it was closed and demolished.
Today, the property has been redeveloped with a seniors center on land. There is no trace of the drive-in left.
Contributed by
Ken McElhaney
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
Listed in the Theatre Trade Directory of 1985-86 as being part of the Theatre Operators, Inc circuit of Bozeman, MT
Gabel St
Lander, WY 82520
A more accurate address for this theater is now 1005 South 11th Street, Lander, WY 82520. This points to where the theater stood. Gabel did not exist at the time this was open and is south of the drive in. Look for the Safeway gas station. That’s where the drive in entrance road was located.
Please update.
Y'know, jwmovies, it’s weird. When I stood at the Safeway and the little office buildings just south of it, I was sure I was at a former drive-in even before I checked here. But we were both wrong; the Diane was just south of those offices. Aerial photos show that after 1994, the drive-in was replaced by a neighborhood of duplexes along Garfield and Gabel Streets. The address of the Senior Citizen’s Center at the entrance to the neighborhood is 205 S 10th St, so that would make a more accurate address for the Diane.
The Diane opened in late 1949, probably in October.
The June 4, 1949 issue of BoxOffice hinted at an opening date: “Mrs. Ella Blakeslee and Merval Goodrich are building a 300-car $50,000 drive-in near Lander, Wyo., where they own the Grand.”
The Oct. 22, 1949 issue paid off. “LANDER, WYO. – The 326-car Diane Drive-In Theatre built here by A. M. Goodrich recently was opened with a special dedicatory show at which the mayor and other city officials were speakers. Goodrich also operated the Grand Theatre here.”
And sure enough, a 1949 aerial showed the drive-in looking active. It must have been taken late enough in the year.
Boxoffice, Nov. 10, 1969: “Theatre Operators circuit has taken over operation of the Grand Theatre and the Dianne (sic) Drive-In, Lander, Wyo., from Mrs. A. M. Goodrich. Goodrich originally started as an employee of the theatre and had taken over operation of the theatre about 25 years ago and had operated it continuously since that time.”