Mesa Drive-In
2145 5th Avenue,
Oroville,
CA
95965
2145 5th Avenue,
Oroville,
CA
95965
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The “new” Mesa Drive-In opened its gates on May 20, 1969 with “Young Americans” and John Wayne’s “The War Wagon” plus a disc jockey meet-and-greet from then-Top 40 radio station KAOR (now KPYV) and musical performances by a local choir known as “Sing-Out Oroville” were presented before showing. it was first managed by Gerald Smith.
Yes, this indeed replaced another drive-in also named the “Mesa Drive-In”. The “old” Mesa Drive-In was first managed by George Hickox and opened on November 23, 1949 with Fred Astaire in “The Barkleys Of Broadway” along with two cartoons, a newsreel, and a couple of short subjects. The old Mesa closed on December 7, 1968 with Frank Sinatra in “The Detective” and Paul Newman in “Hombre”.
OK, it appears there was either two drive-in’s in this town or the Mesa was moved up the road. The Mesa does not exist at this address in a 1958 aerial photo HOWEVER, a smaller drive-in DOES exist at the current address of 2700 Lincoln St. The remains of this drive-in also exist in a 1969 when the “new” Mesa has been constructed.
Correction: The entrance road is now 885 Mitchell Ave, Oroville, CA 95965 next to the Feather River ranger station. The theatre itself behind this location.
Please update.
Looks like the original “recently” date slipped. Boxoffice, March 11, 1950: “OROVILLE, CALIF. – George B. Hickox has sold his half interest in the Mesa Drive-In to Frank S. Devincenzi of Santa Rosa. Newell C. Post, owner of a half interest in the theatre, and Devincenzi will be owners and operators. The theatre, built by Hickox, was opened last November 23.”
From the Nov. 12, 1949 issue of BoxOffice:
OROVILLE, CALIF. – The Mesa Drive-In was opened here recently by George Hickox and Newell C. Post. The theatre was built at a cost of $130,000 and will accommodate 570 cars.
Hickox plans to inaugurate a plan whereby suggestion slips will be available to patrons so they may list their choice for advance bookings.
The address for the Feather River Tribal Health Clinic is:
2145 5th Ave
Oroville, CA 95965