Lone Tree Drive-In
5105 Lone Tree Road,
Victoria,
TX
77901
5105 Lone Tree Road,
Victoria,
TX
77901
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Hi, Mike. Yes. Corky is my nickname. Good to hear from you.
Hi, Mike. Yes. Corky is my nickname. Good to hear from you.
gleith, is your nickname Corky by any chance? My Mom was the cook out there and I worked there off and on for many years myself. Deep Throat on a 60 foot screen was a bizarre experience…And your brother was my great friend. Mike,
Gordontheticketboy on September 6, 2017 at 11:28 a.m. is an imposter. Comment apparently made as a practical joke by former co-worker. I did work there, but never referred to former boss as Dutch Boy. He had a Dutch Boy haircut. As for “enjoyed the adult entertainment”, not true. We thought it was bizarre.
Grand opening ad posted.
Lone Tree Drive-In opening Fri, Mar 8, 1957 – 15 · Victoria Advocate (Victoria, Texas) · Newspapers.com
The May 4, 1957 issue of Boxoffice ran a three-page spread, with plenty of photos, about the Lone Tree. “From the extra-wide (120-foot) screen to the enticing kiddyland and the 12-employe concession stand with a grocery story for forgetful shoppers, the new theatre is outstanding not only in Texas, but is among the finest and largest in the nation.”
Why the name Lone tree? It looks like there more than one tree there? Installed something called Minecast System(whatever that is?) in 1969.
Gordontheticket boy, is your nickname Corky by any chance? My Mom was the cook out there and I worked there off and on for many years myself. Deep Throat on a 60 foot screen was a unique experience…And your brother was my great friend. Mike
Sorry for the multi posts my laptop is wonky
Do you know Brad R. Richards?
My name is Gordon and I worked at Lone Tree back in High School. I sure enjoyed the Adult entertainment Best popcorn around and the Dutch Boy manager made us all laugh!!
lots of great photos in the photo section!
I ran projectors at the Lone Tree a few times while I was a projectionist at the Uptown. It was a real experience because of the long throw from the booth to the screen. We looked through a telescope attached to the projector to watch for change over marks.
rgsimpson, I know your post was several years ago, but if you’re still around, my mother worked the Lone Tree and at the Uptown and I would love to see those photos!
From the Victoria Advocate, February 16, 1972 – Several changes in management were announced Tuesday by Rubin S. Frels, president and general manager of Frels Theatres, Inc. Frels…announced that Gary Dunnam has been named manager of the Lone Tree Theatre. Dunnam joined Frels in May of 1971. A native of West, Texas, he is a former school teacher in Dallas and served four years in military intelligence.
Thanks Gerald.
A feature article, with photos, on the Lone Tree Drive-In appeared in Boxoffice magazine, May 4, 1957:
View link
This drive-in finally opened: First ad at July 19th, 1957 at View link
All earlier dates has no ads. Ken MC, that was a pre-opening announcement.
800 cars? It wasn’t that big as far as I can remember.
Architect and contractor was Harvey Jordan, according to the same article.
An article in the Victoria Advocate gave the opening date as March 8, 1957. Owner was Ruben Frels and general manager was Doyle Oliver. Theater plans and construction took over two years.
I work at a theater in Pryor, OK. My boss’s family has been in the movie business for 50 years, and his father designed this drive-in. I have found some aerial photographs of this theater, as well as concession stand pics from its opening. The photographs we have, according to my boss, are of the opening weekend, they were playing a Jimmy Stewart picture. I also have 2 pictures of the Uptown in Victoria, but with 2 different marquees (must have been changed at some point in time)
Looks like it opened on 2/16/57:
http://tinyurl.com/6ey437
The Victoria opened in February 1957, according to an ad in the Victoria Advocate at that time.
First time I went to this drive-in was about 1968.We lived less than ½ mile from it. During the 80’s it started showing only adult movies. This lasted for several years then it finally closed.