The Florence family bought the Joy Theater and Drive-in in February 1950. The Joy Drive-in was demolished and the Rocket Drive-in was built in its place at the southwest intersection of South Jackson and Renfroe.“ So it would be aka the Joy Drive-In. Maybe it would be considered a separate DI with it’s own page?
While we are waiting for spring and warm summer nights and drive in movies, I thought I would share this with you. I just came across it tonight while going through some things. It was written by my dad, Harvey Fast, when he was still alive, in 2000.
“I built the Winner Drive In Theatre in 1950, 1 mile east of Winner. Harry Jorgensen was the contractor for the buildings, Clarence Woidneck did the dirt work, Jim Nance was the electrician and Bob Stracke did the carpentry work.
The original screen measured 48 x 50, and was built on the ground and lifted into place. Cables were tied to the screen. One was anchored to Harry’s cement mixer truck and one was anchored to my dump truck. To the south we tied the cable to Woidneck’s dirt scraper. Clarence started pulling the screen up as Harry and I backed up toward the screen. When we got about half way up, Harry said he began to wonder what would happen if the dirt mover would not be able to stop and the screen would go on over. He said he had visions of his mixer truck flying through the air and landing somewhere up in the 7th row. However, it went up alright and was anchored in place. Had it flipped over Harry and I might very well have been the first men in orbit. Harry in his mixer truck and me in my dump truck. Between Jim and Harry, the wit and humor filled the days and before long we were in business.
In 1955 we enlarged the screen to 88 x 55 to accomodate cinemascope pictures. It is slightly curved to give the picture more depth.
In 1955 I married Betty Wilhelmsen and we had 2 daughters, Kim and Lori. We have always had a family oriented business and both girls were always, and still are active in the Drive In. Lori started running the projectors when she was 14 and ran them for 8 years. I’m sure she was one of the youngest projectionists ever. Lori married Mick Nagel in 1984 and lives in Rapid City They have 2 children, Jenna and Jerred. Kim married Larry Nordsiden in 1978. They live 1 mile east of us and have two daughers, Lindsey and Lacey. The 4 grandchildren enjoy the Drive In and are always willing to help.
In 1968 we resurfaced the screen. We used 105 4x8 sheets of masonite, 100 lbs. of nails and 42 gallons of paint.
In 1991 a tornado went through and took part of the screen, so we decided to resurface the screen once again. The masonite was taken off and replaced with corrugated steel. Elroy Croston was the contractor for this job. The screen has withstood many strong winds and is still in place today.
Through the years the theatre was really put to the test. With TV, daylight savings time and vcr’s, however our determination kept us going, along with our philosophy to treat people the way we want to be treated.
Daily maintenance and a lot of hard work has kept our theatre looking good and helped us make it into a business to be proud of.
The year 2000 has been a special year for us. Besides celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Drive In on June 23rd, the Area Chamber of Commerce honored us as Retailers of the Year at their Annual Banquet.
The address is: 2300 US-90 Del Rio, TX 78840
Address is: 2202 Main Ave Durango, CO 81301
The address is: 679 Massachusetts 28, West Yarmouth, MA 02673
Too bad you cannot read it?
The address is:2765 N Vine St Magnolia, AR 71753
415 Renfroe is on the wrong side of the street.
The Florence family bought the Joy Theater and Drive-in in February 1950. The Joy Drive-in was demolished and the Rocket Drive-in was built in its place at the southwest intersection of South Jackson and Renfroe.“ So it would be aka the Joy Drive-In. Maybe it would be considered a separate DI with it’s own page?
Better address is: 507 Wilson St, Valliant, OK 74764
Better address is:
17216 WA-99
Lynnwood, WA 98037
It was also AKA the Bailey Drive-In. Also added a better aerial view and theatre flyer.
From the Winner FB page
While we are waiting for spring and warm summer nights and drive in movies, I thought I would share this with you. I just came across it tonight while going through some things. It was written by my dad, Harvey Fast, when he was still alive, in 2000.
“I built the Winner Drive In Theatre in 1950, 1 mile east of Winner. Harry Jorgensen was the contractor for the buildings, Clarence Woidneck did the dirt work, Jim Nance was the electrician and Bob Stracke did the carpentry work.
The original screen measured 48 x 50, and was built on the ground and lifted into place. Cables were tied to the screen. One was anchored to Harry’s cement mixer truck and one was anchored to my dump truck. To the south we tied the cable to Woidneck’s dirt scraper. Clarence started pulling the screen up as Harry and I backed up toward the screen. When we got about half way up, Harry said he began to wonder what would happen if the dirt mover would not be able to stop and the screen would go on over. He said he had visions of his mixer truck flying through the air and landing somewhere up in the 7th row. However, it went up alright and was anchored in place. Had it flipped over Harry and I might very well have been the first men in orbit. Harry in his mixer truck and me in my dump truck. Between Jim and Harry, the wit and humor filled the days and before long we were in business.
In 1955 we enlarged the screen to 88 x 55 to accomodate cinemascope pictures. It is slightly curved to give the picture more depth.
In 1955 I married Betty Wilhelmsen and we had 2 daughters, Kim and Lori. We have always had a family oriented business and both girls were always, and still are active in the Drive In. Lori started running the projectors when she was 14 and ran them for 8 years. I’m sure she was one of the youngest projectionists ever. Lori married Mick Nagel in 1984 and lives in Rapid City They have 2 children, Jenna and Jerred. Kim married Larry Nordsiden in 1978. They live 1 mile east of us and have two daughers, Lindsey and Lacey. The 4 grandchildren enjoy the Drive In and are always willing to help.
In 1968 we resurfaced the screen. We used 105 4x8 sheets of masonite, 100 lbs. of nails and 42 gallons of paint.
In 1991 a tornado went through and took part of the screen, so we decided to resurface the screen once again. The masonite was taken off and replaced with corrugated steel. Elroy Croston was the contractor for this job. The screen has withstood many strong winds and is still in place today.
Through the years the theatre was really put to the test. With TV, daylight savings time and vcr’s, however our determination kept us going, along with our philosophy to treat people the way we want to be treated.
Daily maintenance and a lot of hard work has kept our theatre looking good and helped us make it into a business to be proud of.
The year 2000 has been a special year for us. Besides celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Drive In on June 23rd, the Area Chamber of Commerce honored us as Retailers of the Year at their Annual Banquet.
The address is: 1210 S Gordon Cooper Dr Shawnee, OK 74801
The address is: 1703 Morrell Ave, Connellsville, PA 15425 That is pretty close.
The address is: 685 Indian Creek Valley Road, Indian Head, PA 15446
That is pretty close..
The address is: Blanco Street and Creekside Village CT, Aztec, NM 87410
Here you go
nashville…can scan the pictures and post them.
One thing to add is that it reopened in 1986 as the Gabletown Drive-In and closed in 1987 for good.
I think the Carolina Drive-In aka Lenoir Drive-In aka Del-Mar Drive-In are all the same drive-in…
The address is 1437 Blowing Rock Blvd.
Because it was located near Hwy 41. Anytime you see a drive-in named with a number, it most likely the the route or street it was location on.
No clue on that..
The correct address is:293 Eidson Road
The address is:
3500 MacArthur Dr
North Little Rock, AR 72118
This address works better: 901 US 441 Hollywood, FL 33023
The address is:I-25BL at N Frontage Rd Belen, NM 87002