K and D Drive-In
1435 US-97,
Madras,
OR
97741
1435 US-97,
Madras,
OR
97741
2 people
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Opened around 1951 and operated by Denzel & Wilma Piercy. The K and D Drive-In was still open in 1984.
Contributed by
David Zornig
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
From the obituary for Wilma Piercy. She married Denzel M. Piercy on June 26, 1935, in Prineville. He was in partnership with his brother Kenneth in running the Lyric and Pine theaters in Prineville. Mrs. Piercy became a partner when they bought the Chief Theater and built the K & D Drive-In Theater in Madras. They enjoyed their role of providing movies for the community for many years until they retired in 1972.
https://pamplinmedia.com/component/content/article?id=136149
There was also a Patio Drive-In in Prineville owned by the same family. (I will set up a page for that.) Referenced here in this 2005 response to an editorial.
https://pamplinmedia.com/component/content/article?id=136720
The address for the Patio Drive-In was 3160 NE 3rd St, Prineville, OR 97754. That is the current address of the US Forest Service which was built over the drive-in.
Thank you.
Will add it now.
Update, The K&D was sold to Larry & Marie Easter in the early `70s and remained open until after 1984. Per this rebuttal by Marie Easter.
https://pamplinmedia.com/component/content/article?id=136720
BTW, this week Google Maps prefers the address of 1435 The Dalles-California Hwy, Madras, OR 97741. And here’s an approximate opening date:
Boxoffice, May 20, 1950: “MADRAS, ORE. – The 300-car K&D Drive-In a mile south of town on Highway 97 has been opened by Manager Bill Bordwell. Built at a cost of $70,000, the airer may be expanded to 500 cars later. The screen is 60 feet in height.”
Sorry Ken you’re WAY OFF!
THIS points to Safeway! North of town!
The TRUE address for this ozoner is 1435 US-97, Madras, OR 97741.
South of town, you can see the skeleton ramps behind Summit portable homes.
Please update.
Why the name K and D?
Original screen was 60ft and the original projection booth measures 40x40ft.
davidcoppock, K & D was likely for Kenneth & Denzel the theatre’s owners/partners. See my post from May 27, 2019 above.