Pioneer Drive-In
TX-36 and Co Road 251,
Cross Plains,
TX
76443
TX-36 and Co Road 251,
Cross Plains,
TX
76443
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Another date hint. Variety, Nov. 3, 1954: “Pioneer Drive-In opened between Cross Plains and Rising Star by Bob Vaught and Hugh Millingion. The ozoner is C’Scope-equipped.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Dec. 20, 1961: “Buford Kanz, Pioneer Drive-In, Cross Plains, Tex., has accepted a position in Mount Carmel, Ill., and his parents will operate the drive-in during his absence.”
Billboard, Aug. 21, 1954: “R. L. Vaught and High Millington are building a 300-car capacity drive-in at a site between Rising Star and Cross Plains, Tex. It is expected to be completed by September.”
Billboard, Nov. 20, 1954: “Bob Vaught and Hugh Millington have opened the new Pioneer Drive-In between Rising Star and Cross Hains, Tex. It is equipped with CinemaScope.”
The address is TX-36 & Co Rd 251, Cross Plains, TX.
Today, it is private property with a small store on the front of the lot, but you can still see the ramps.
https://tinyurl.com/y72ml7f9
I’ve driven through Cross Plains many times. Last trip, the lady curator at the Robert E. Howard House said the Pioneer was “East on Route 36,” but I never could find anything resembling a former drive-in on any of the map apps. Finally I saw a note somewhere that it was “…about seven miles East, halfway to Rising Star,” implying that it served both communities. There’s a small lot on the south side of 36 about 1 km East of the “Pioneer Cemetery” with curved ridges looking like a drive-in parking area. This also fits with another description I saw, “containing a trailer house and a few unidentified structures.” I think this is the most likely location.
From 1986 in Cross Plains a photo of the Pioneer Drive-In Theater.
Thanks Mike.
The old PIONEER DRIVE-in parked in 1956, 200 cars and was owned by R. Vaughtand & H. Millington.