Hankins Drive-In
2710 SW 11th Street,
Lawton,
OK
73501
2710 SW 11th Street,
Lawton,
OK
73501
1 person
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Actually there is nothing there but an open field.
Boxoffice, Oct. 23, 1961: “In town (Oklahoma City) … Jack Hankins, who formerly operated Hankins Drive-In at Lawton, which he disposed of a few years ago to his opposition, Volney Hamm, who operates the Mount Scott”
Why was it called Hankins?
I haven’t heard of people being invited to cut the speakers free and take them home as souveneirs before, wow!!?
The property itself appears to be clear and abandoned with no building or structure present. Only the ramps, foundation for the projection booth/concession stand, and elements of the screen foundation are left. http://tinyurl.com/hh5vbz2
Back in the 1950’s Hankins was one of two drive in theaters, the other being the Mt. Scott Drive In on Sheridan Road, where there is now a Wal-Mart. It used to have dollar carload nights (on Wednesdays I believe) and had a great snack bar. Hankins was located at the corner of Bishop Road and Fort Sill Blvd (11th Street) on the south side of town near the airport.
From my database:
Hankins Drive-in Theatre (closing article, opening ad)
Opened 30 Sept 1950
Address listed as Hiway 277 at Airport
Address listed in closing article as SW Bishop road and 11th
Location: N 34° 33.86', W 98° 24.19' (South east corner)
Last Drive-in to close in Lawton, closed in Oct 1986
1955 Theatre Catalog lists Ned and Jack Hankins as Exec C600
1965 IMPA lists Volney Hamm as Exec.
1965 IMPA lists capacity as 640
1979 IMPA, lists capacity as 300, Owned by Volney Hamm
1984 IMPA lists Volney Hamm as owner
Wesley Horton AIDA
I have the same info above.
Mike Rogers might have some info on this theatre after he sees this post.
O.K.
Updated link:
http://www.roadsideoklahoma.com/node/113
The Hankins was still in operation in the summer of 1986. It closed sometime in late 1986 or 1987. Patrons were invited to cut the speaker loose from the pole and take it with them as a souveneir. A church has since been built on the premises.