Cuddihy Drive-In
Cuddihy Field,
Corpus Christi,
TX
78413
Cuddihy Field,
Corpus Christi,
TX
78413
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A very short-lived drive-in for Corpus Christi, located near the now defunct Cuddihy Field. Advertisements exist for it only from its opening on August 30, 1947 with Yvonne De Carlo in “Frontier Gal” to its closure on November 11, 1947.
Contributed by
Bobby P.
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
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I’m making an assumption that what looks like drive-in scars in the 1956 aerial is in fact 9 year old remnants of a this short-lived drive-in. I have not been able to verify. I see no other likely drive-in location on or near Cuddihy field.
Does anyone else know of the drive in that was once at the Cuddihy naval base?
I looked at a 1952 aerial photo of the location that Yakima1 cited and there is no evidence of a drive-in scar at that time. So, I do not believe that is the location.
An aerial photo of the field in 1944 compared to the 1952 aerial shows virtually no change at the base. A little research shows that the field was abandoned shortly after WWII, but was not purchased by the city until 1947.
This may sound a little weird, but what if the drive-in was actually part of the field itself in some manner? If they used the paved area for parking, all they would need to do is set up a screen and speakers.
And a projection booth as well (forgot about that). Still, if they used the area near the hangers or on the airstrips itself, there may be no discernible trace of a drive-in remaining.
Opened on 30/8/1947 with “Frontier gal”.
Grand opening ad posted.
New info June 2021….. An article in Dec 15, 1947 Corpus Christ Caller Times mentions how things out at Cuddihy Field were declining and it refers to “The Harvey Drive-In Tyeatre” having to close due to lack of business.
I checked The Kingsville Record to see if “Harvey” could be L.E. Harvey who ran The Hi-Way Drive-In, and I found the Hi-Way grand opening article on Aug 11, 1948 that confirms L.E. Harvey operated the Cuddihy Drive-In in Corpus Christi “for several years”. Several years? Could that be true? https://goo.gl/photos/NqPpca16LoF7yFRFA
I find it difficult to believe that the Cuddihy Drive-In existed for more than a year. The airfield was abandoned towards the end of World War II and purchased by the city in 1947. That leaves a very short window for someone to run a drive-in on the field.
I’m still convinced based on the adverts that the drive-in itself was on one of the runways or perhaps next to a hanger. So, there would be no scarring or evidence of any drive-in present. Especially if it was a temporary drive-in which was common at the time.