Mustang Drive-In
8070 US-83,
Wheeler,
TX
79096
8070 US-83,
Wheeler,
TX
79096
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The operators of the Rogue Theatre in downtown Wheeler launched the Mustang Drive-In Theatre in 1952. The concept was that the Rogue Theatre would toggle with the Mustang Drive-In operating seasonally. Leo Guthrie and his wife, Laura Wimberly Guthrie, operated the venue until Leo’s passing after the 1958 season. Their son, Marion Leo “Corky” Guthrie, and Laura operated the Mustang Drive-In almost its entire operational life thereafter except for a brief period in which Charles Townsend and Bill Pearce operated it in the early-1960’s.
The Mustang Drive-In is said to have operated from 1952 to 1979 with “Corky” passing in 1980 purportedly leading to the non-opening of the drive-in for the 1980 season. In just its second year of operation, Leo had offered a tip on waterproofing speaker cones in drive-in speakers to the trade press in 1953 after some rain water damaged a number of the Mustang’s speakers.
The Guthrie family operated the hardtop Rogue Theatre from 1930 to 1979. They diversified their media holdings in Wheeler by establishing and operating the town’s cable TV provision, Wheeler Television Service, from 1958 until 1976. Trivia note: Lamar Guthrie operated the Erick, Oklahoma Rogue Theatre and its companion drive-in about 30 miles away, as well as a Tipton, Oklahoma combo, for many years.
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
Address: 8070 US-83, Wheeler, TX 79096 - the location furnished by the editor of the local newspaper of 65 years, the Wheeler Times!
That drive-in definitely does NOT look like it can occupy 400 cars. If I have to take a wild guess here, I’ll say that it could occupy an estimate 100 to 150 cars because on how small it looks. I’m very sure some people can just park on the other side of the highway to watch movies.
The drive-in was located on the north side of the property. The screen sat rather unusually on the northeast corner and faced southwest into the setting sun (at least part of the year).
By 1985, the entire drive-in was demolished and by 1996 all traces had disappeared, even the entrance road which is odd for a property that was never developed.
Agreed on capacity… I couldn’t find cap. so didn’t add that. Not really enough population in the Wheeler area for 400 cars
For the gold standard on capacity, I turn to the 1955-56 Theatre Catalog. It said that Lee Guthrie’s Mustang held 150 cars.
So I’m definitely right on the money.