Frontier Drive-Inn
111 E. Country Road 11 N,
Center,
CO
81125
111 E. Country Road 11 N,
Center,
CO
81125
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@DavidZornig - The marquee has been “restored?” Geez, if THAT’S restored, it must’ve been a shambles before!
Thanks for the link, DavidZornig! (Here’s the archived version in case it becomes unavailable at the Daily Record.) I had heard that the movies were only available to overnight visitors, but that article says it’s available to anyone for some weekend screenings. I’m planning my summer trip now! :)
Nice!another reopened theatre
Additional article about the same conversion, with 12 photos.
https://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/2022/08/26/frontier-drive-in-center-colorado-san-luis-valley-attractions-movies/?utm_content=fb-canoncitydailyrecord&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=socialflow&utm_medium=social&fbclid=IwAR2myeHNevsOJ83_PYK3620C7t5udb7xYidUDsaQWa9gxMR3wWqNiD_bf7U
New website is https://www.frontierdriveinn.com/ Now called “Frontier Drive-Inn” it has a mix of yurts and shed rooms that can be stayed overnight in, films can be watched from these rooms as well.
Planned reopening at the end of September. Frontier
New development on the land includes the restored Frontier Drive-In sign.
https://centerpostdispatch.com/article/frontier-drive-in-revitalization-brings-new-building-techniques-to-center?fbclid=IwAR3NRwSctbkkX2nM7HvBtnj2mhGCh76Sn3nf7CWiIUZ_1CuxxfqFNCkc5y8
The Frontier Drive-In held its grand opening on Saturday, May 14, 1955, based on a front-page story in the previous day’s issue of the Monte Vista Journal. Admission was free for the opening, which featured the movie “Warpath”.
The drive-in was described “eleven miles north of Monte Vista on the Gunbarrel,” the locals' name for US 285, which has no curves in that stretch. It was owned by Herb and Theta Gumpers, who also owned the Center Theatre, the La Jara Theatre, and the Round-Up Drive-In in La Jara.
“Gumpers has constructed the theatre screen and installations himself.” The screen was 44x80 feet, and the lot held 320 cars. Walter Nichols was the manager.
“Herbert Gumper, Frontier Drive-In, Center, Colo., and the Roundup Drive-In, La Jara, Colo., died of a heart attack. The 54-year-old theatre man is survived by his wife, a son, and three grandchildren.” —Motion Picture Exhibitor, Aug. 12, 1964
The Frontier debuted in the 1956 edition of the Motion Picture Almanac series, listed as owned by Herbert Gumper. It fell off the MPA list in 1985.
A more accurate address for this theater is 101 E Rd 11 N, Center, CO 81125. This points directly to the drive in. Please update.
The International Motion Picture Almanac said in its 1978 edition that the “New Frontier” was run by E. Bohn, though Edwin Bohn’s obituary called it just the Frontier. Anyway, it fell off the IMPA drive-in list between the 1984 and 1986 editions, so that’s probably when it closed.
The sign is being restored: https://centerpostdispatch.com/article/frontier-drive-in-receiving-makeover
Wonder if it showed any of the Star Trek movies?
Stumbled across the ruins of the New Frontier Drive In outside of of Center, Colorado while cruising the highway – new pictures in the Photo section. Wonder who got the marquee? No sign of it on the grounds.
US 285 at E Rd 11 N
Center, CO 81125