Pike Drive-In
7500 E. Lancaster Avenue,
Fort Worth,
TX
76112
7500 E. Lancaster Avenue,
Fort Worth,
TX
76112
3 people
favorited this theater
Showing 7 comments
Grand opening of the Pike Drive-In with “State Fair” on October 25, 1947. The venue is likely best remembered for its large cowboy with lasso neon sign.
This theatre closed in the early 60’s from what I’ve been able to tell. From historic aerials, it appears the marquee was gone in ‘63 and the projection/snack bar building was gone by '68. The screen structure stood derelict through most of the '70s before being torn down. I can remember seeing it as a kid.
Claude Ezell and Associates bought the Pike (and the Jefferson in Dallas) from Harold Gibbons on May 3, 1955 per a note in Motion Picture Daily.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1hbCeMz9m5DgqL3txnbzzDAlAGNT_GbFF/view?usp=sharing
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1KSIO7qjlvFWfaq2nRRrv1G4MyqUgc4p7/view?usp=sharing
I loved this animated neon display as a kid in the 1950s. These photos from 1979. Structure was large inside, about 8' wide. Could have made a nice, unique living space if some wealthy investor had purchased and restored this historic theater and display.
Here is an old photo of the drive-in:
http://tinyurl.com/l42slt
The Pike Drive-In was opened in September 1947 by Harold Gibbons. Capacity was 600 cars, according to Boxoffice magazine.
Was mentioned in the documentary “Drive-In Movie Memories” in 2001.