Sunset Drive-In

555 Israel Road SW,
Tumwater, WA 98501

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Showing 10 comments

karen_oly
karen_oly on May 6, 2024 at 5:41 pm

I’m putting together a pop-up display about Sunset Drive-in for the City of Tumwater’s “Screen on the Green” event in July. Could I have permission to use some of the photos you’ve posted for my display?

rivest266
rivest266 on March 20, 2022 at 1:12 pm

grand opening ad: Sunset Drive-In openingSunset Drive-In opening 02 Sep 1949, Fri The Olympian (Olympia, Washington) Newspapers.com

KenLayton
KenLayton on April 23, 2020 at 3:35 am

Thanks for posting those pictures. They are so crystal clear. Do you have any more? I spent ten years working there before it closed.

fmccaslin
fmccaslin on April 22, 2020 at 6:53 pm

I have added several photos from the Joe Basil collection. Joe managed the Sunset from about 1952-54 for United Drive-Ins, of which his father, A. G. Basil, of Raymond, WA was a partner. I was a ten year old kid at the time and spent many happy times at the Sunset, including a trip to the top of the screen on one occasion! Joe passed away in 2013 and I ended up with the old Sunset negatives. Finally got around to scanning them and finding this site to post them. I am delighted to have a place to share them after so many years have passed by.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on March 24, 2020 at 1:44 am

Opened with “Mother is a freshman” and “Canadian Pacific”.

KenLayton
KenLayton on January 5, 2015 at 3:34 am

I have now added the hand drawn map of the property I made.

KenLayton
KenLayton on December 6, 2011 at 7:34 pm

The Point Tavern, which at one time hosted the theater marquee on top of it’s building, has been torn down and replaced with a brand new 7-11 store.

KenLayton
KenLayton on August 18, 2011 at 7:52 pm

Aerial picture of the theater in 1957. This was long before the Tumwater High School was built across the street from the theater. Here is the link:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58299528@N05/5375209553/

KenLayton
KenLayton on August 17, 2011 at 5:33 am

1949 to 1951 Berg & Miller owned the theater.

1951 to 1954 United Drive-ins owned the theater.

1954 to 1977 The Zabel family owned the theater.

1977 to 1986 Tom Moyer’s Luxury Theatres owned the theater.

KenLayton
KenLayton on June 17, 2011 at 6:00 pm

Nearby theaters: Regal Martin Village 16, Lacey Drive-in, Capitol Theater, State Theater, Avalon Theater, Rex Theater, Ray Theater, Washington Center for the Performing Arts, Century Olympia 14, Skyline Drive-in, Shelton Cinemas, Yelm Cinemas.