Cheyenne Drive-In
801 U.S. 281,
Hoisington,
KS
67544
801 U.S. 281,
Hoisington,
KS
67544
1 person
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The Cheyenne Drive-In was opened on July 15, 1950. By 1955 it was operated by Commonwealth Amusement Corp.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
I worked at this Drive-In from 1956-1958. Cleaned and mowed the ramps (grass ramps) during the day and was a projectionist at night. It was still operated by Commonwealth Amusement Corp. when I left in 1958. At the time I was there it was only open in the summer, alternating operation with the downtown Royal Theatre. It was subsequently closed and torn down.
JD1940..Thanks for the information. Do you have pictures and address for it?
I have no pictures nor do I have a specific address. It was located approximately three miles south of Hoisington on the highway between Hoisington and Great Bend on the West side of the highway. By the time I was managing the Great Bend Theatres for Commonwealth in the late 60s-early 70s, the Drive-In was closed and I’m pretty sure Commonwealth no longer operated the Royal in town.
According to the topographical maps, the drive-in seems to have been located at 783 US 281 (Google) about 2 miles south of Hoisington. There is no trace of the drive-in left. https://goo.gl/maps/c1cpA
The address above does not map correctly. The closest address would be 801 US 281.
The drive in would be where the large building is located just SE of this location next Kansas Brick and Tile.
The August 19, 1950 issue of Boxoffice said that the new, 450-car Cheyenne Drive-In at Hoisington had opened on July 15. The drive-in was operated by Jake Manweiler and his sons Edwin and August.
A closer address is 785 US-281, Hoisington, KS.
This puts it directly across the street from where the drive-in once stood. For some bizarre reason, Google Maps added the address to an empty field, but left the private residence on the property without one.
The drive-in shows up intact and operational in a 1957 aerial. And is completely gone by 1981.
https://tinyurl.com/ycxr2a7a