Belknap Drive-In
5709 E. Belknap Street,
Haltom City,
TX
76117
5709 E. Belknap Street,
Haltom City,
TX
76117
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This opened on May 7th, 1948. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
In 1955 Mason C. Chapman, former concession manager of the Circle Drive-in, Waco, Texas, has taken over duties over duties as manager of Belknap Drive-in at Fort Worth replacing Jack Veerin who recently resigned. Billboard June, 1955.
Jodih, the only closed drive-in theatre still standing is the Meadowbrook. The concession building is long gone, but the screen and ticket office with marquee on its roof is still around. The problem is that the property is now owned by a waste disposal company, with many, many dumpsters on the lot. It might not be the best place to do a fashion photoshoot.
I’m pretty sure there are no deserted-but-still-standing drive-ins in the immediate DFW area. There is the Brazos Drive-In in Granbury just south of Fort Worth. It was still operating but I heard it may close because the owners may retire(probably due to the high price for a digital projector—-the death knell for a number of smaller theatres and drive-ins).
Thanks Jamestv. Would you happen to know of a drive in theatre in the dfw area that is closed but not demolished. I’m wanting do a fashion photoshoot for a magazine and need a deserted drive in, preferably with some personality like the Belknap had. Thank you so much! Jodih
The Belknap was demolished in the ‘80’s and replaced by a large apartment complex. Although the veterinary clinic in front is still there.
Hi! Just curious if anyone knew if this drive in is still standing and is it still in decent shape? Thank you! Jodi
Aerial from 1956..the link was broken.
Thank you again, skyhuggs! I’ve sent you my e-mail, and I look forward to corresponding with you and your cousin about the Belknap.
I talked to my cousin last night and hooked her up to this site and she is going to look for pics to publish. I will let you email me at and hook you up with her. I’m sure she will be glad to help since her father just died.
I will talk to the Crogan employee tomorrow when he is in my office and see if he can help.
Skyhuggs, THANK YOU VERY MUCH for your help – it’s very much appreciated! Given the information you have, there are a myriad of questions I’d like to ask you about the Belknap. As I mentioned earlier, I’m looking for the dimensions of the screen tower for a potential project. Is there a way I can contact you off-site? In the meantime, I look forward to your help, photographs, and memories!
LarryFM I just looked at Corgan’s website and I realize that Jack Corgan, a pilot, built drive-ins when he first started the business. One of Corgan’s employees works in the same office that I work in at Love Field. I will see if I can find out the info you want.
My uncle was manager in the 60’s and his family lived under the screen and I used to visit during the summer. GREAT TIMES. Horance (JR) Wilson just recently passed away and one of his former employees from the theater came to the funeral. I am going to try to get pics from the family to post.
LarryFM why were you trying to contact Corgan in Dallas? I have access to them.
Nice photo ken mc.
I have a favor to ask my fellow CT members. I’ve been trying to find out the dimensions of the Belknap’s screen tower and screen for some time now, but have hit the proverbial “brick wall”. I’ve contacted Corgan in Dallas, but nothing’s materialized from my effort. Could anyone here lend a fellow drive-in theatre enthusiast a hand, please? Thank you very much in advance.
Here is a 1956 aerial photo:
http://tinyurl.com/ydsszbr
Here is a photo circa 1940s:
http://tinyurl.com/l3kc4d
Here’s a bit of trivia: there’s a fairly worn east-west street in Haltom City, about half a block in length, that sits between Denton Highway (U.S. Highway 377) and Melbourne Street (which bordered the western edge of the Belknap Drive-In). It’s named Ezell Street, and I’m presuming it was named after Claude C. Ezell, half owner of the theatre.
Was mentioned in the documentary “Drive-In Movie Memories” in 2001.
Hello Ralph,
Do you have any pictures of the time you worked at the Del Norte? I have posted pictures of the El Paso Drive In Theater (there you can see photos of my father) and the Bordertown. It would be nice if there were some images of the Del Norte before it was demolished.
I worked for Jack Veeren at the Del Norte Drive In, in El Paso Texas.
Ralph Ponton
Hello Robert,
Thanks for you comments regarding the photos of the Belknap. I’m afraid that I don’t have too many photos of that period. Just some snapshots of myself and others around the theatre. Glad to hear that it’s of interest. When were you there?
I also posted photos of the El Paso and Bordertown theaters in El Paso.
Again, thanks and it’s a shame that all the old drive ins are disappearing!
Ria Veeren
Ms. Veeren,
I’m so glad to see these old photos of the Belknap Theatre…where I grew up. A couple of years ago I bought and have been renovating the McAdams Building down at Belknap & Riverside (6 Points). I’d love to compare old photos you and I and others may have of the area. Please write me so we can talk. Thanks a lot and look forward to hearing from you!
Robert Bell
My father, Jack Veeren, was manager of the Belknap in 1954/1955, and we also lived in the apartment built into the screen. For images of that period please view:
http://www.drive-ins.com/detail/txtbelk
Ria Veeren
This theatre was built by the Dallas based firm of Underwood-Ezell, builders of a number of Dallas/Ft. Worth theatres. At least the first manager of the Belknap lived in an apartment built into the screen tower. The original tower mural was a neon-lit covered wagon trail scene; the football-kicking buffalo came later. The site is now an apartment complex.