Red Raider Drive-In
715 N. University Avenue,
Lubbock,
TX
79415
715 N. University Avenue,
Lubbock,
TX
79415
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The Red Raider Drive-In According To The Lubbock Avalanche-Journal Opened In June 1952. During Its Earlier Years, The Red Raider Is Known For The Area’s Special Train. It Became A Twin In December 1969 Or January 1970.
How did the Texas Tech University Red Raider team get there name from?
Site is now Westerner baseball and softball fields.
My fading memory remembers the drive in picture with the Red Raider on his horse.
One of the things I remember most about Texas during my stay there in the summer of 1991, lots and lots of open land and lots and lots of abandoned drive ins, even explored a few of them!
Approx. address for this drive-in was 715 N University Ave, Lubbock, TX 79415. Now a ballpark.
Its a big state.
Boy, There are alot of Drive-ins in Texas.
Thanks again Mike.
In 1956 it parked 850 cars making it that city’s largest Drive-in. It was owned by Breaden&Beeson.
A movie ad from 1959 for the Red Raider Drive In in Lubbock.
One thing I forgot to mention: Besides making the sign for the Red Raider, my father built the kiddie train from scratch on our kitchen table. That was somewhere between 1951 and 1953, I think. The train took children around the Red Raider Drive-In before the movie. He also conceived, designed and built the giant loaf of bread on what was then the Mead’s Bakery. He did the steel work, wiring, painting and installation while he was working for Lubbock Poster. It rotated back then. Now, I think it’s Rainbow Bread. He also designed and built the two Plains Fairgrounds signs. That was the first sign I ever worked on (I’m a sign designer now); I helped screw in the lightbulbs. That was about 1958.
I worked as projectionist at the Red Raider in the 60’s It was a fun place to work, had the best concessions with the best Pizza in town. The Manager was a wonderful elegant woman named Jackie who had Diamonds on every finger. I hope someone can come up with a picture of this place.
My folks to me and my brothers to that theater on numerous occasions when we were growing up.
Remember the last Raider to be depicted on the screen front? It was the first Red Raider All American, E.J. Holub and his retired number ‘55’.
Also, my father, M.A. (Al) Williford constructed ready built houses directly in front of that old theater during the middle 60’s after it was closed. ‘Wilco Ready Builts’ was the name of his firm.
Bob Williford, 05/16/05
Thanks for the memories.
Me too, Richard! I started taking theater pictures about 30 years ago and I think the Red Raider was possibly gone before that. Lubbock was home from 1972-1996, but as kid I went there and remember that football player. I do have photos of the Golden Horse Shoe drive in and the Lindsey theater. Do you happen to remember the name of the drive in that was at Brownfield Hwy and Slide road?
What a great bit of memorabilia! Thanks for sharing!
I really wish you had a picture of the Red Raider Drive-In. My father, the late Willard Hayner, painted the football player on the back of the screen and made the neon that, at night, made him kick a field goal. He also built, from scratch, a kiddie train to carry kids around the theater before the movies. He worked for Lubbock Poster Company at the time.