Pioneer Drive-In
2165 W. Main Street,
Mesa,
AZ
85201
2165 W. Main Street,
Mesa,
AZ
85201
1 person
favorited this theater
The Pioneer Drive-In was opened November 1, 1949. Later a second screen was added, and it had already closed by the early-1980’s.
Contributed by
Ken McIntyre
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
Here is a 1983 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/moacvq
The Pioneer had two screens by 1978, but only one in the earlier views. It has been replaced by housing. Screens should be changed to two and status should be changed to closed/demolished.
http://tinyurl.com/ye9gh5s
Nice 1983 marquee shot.
Aerial photo at View link
November 1st, 1949 grand opening ad in photo section.
Maybe the Pioneer had a different projected name during construction? Boxoffice, March 12, 1949: “A new Garfield Anderson drive-in is being built on the Tempe-Mesa highway at an approximate cost of $150,000. The airer will be named the Valley Drive-In and will accommodate 800 cars. It is being built on a 20-acre site and will have an elaborate electrical display featuring a western desert theme.”
Opened with a Bugs Bunny cartoon(My bunny lies over the ocean), “White Heat” and “One last fling”.
Closed On February 7, 1982 With “Taps” And “Cannonball Run” At Screen #1 And “Neighbors” And “Stir Crazy” At Screen #2.