West 11th Twin Drive-in
1000 Seneca Road,
Eugene,
OR
97402
1000 Seneca Road,
Eugene,
OR
97402
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Moyer Theatres
Architects: Mel C. Glatz
Firms: Mel C. Glatz & Associates
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Built by Moyer Theatres of Portland, OR, and opened on Seneca Road in 1971, it was to be the Northwest’s first twin drive-in, and held 1,500 cars, but the 2nd screen was never built. Described as being deluxe in every way, it was to show first-run movies primarily, have in-car heaters, a playground with pre-show entertainment, and was designed by Mel C. Glatz, with equipment by Ballantyne, Strong and Century.
Contributed by
John Story
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
A 1980 Aerial photo shows a drive-in located with the current address of 3333 W 11th Ave Ste G, Eugene, OR.
It does appear that the old entrance road was on Seneca, but that is now gone and Fred Meyer and Chase Bank, which occupies the property, has their entrance along 11th Street.
https://tinyurl.com/y8chb7ln
The same 1980 aerial only shows one screen, not two. I will not guess as to why, I’m only saying that I see just one screen and the 1977 topo map shows the same one-screen drive-in.
A more accurate address for this theater is 1000 Seneca Rd, Eugene, OR 97402. According to historical aerials, this points directly to the drive in entrance next to Movieland 6.
Please update.
It is interesting that this drive-in was referred to as a “twin”. Although named and constructed with a twin projection booth, the 2nd screen was never constructed. 1975 brought the addition of 3 indoor cinemas, partially constructed on land set to be the 2nd drive-in field. The resulting complex was renamed West 11th Entertainment Center, thus ending the “twin” drive-in era. Then, in 1987, 3 additional screens were constructed on the remainder of the 2nd field, converting the complex to Movieland, a 6 screen indoor theatre with no drive-in, although, the original drive-in snackbar and restrooms continued to serve the theatre.
Now Fred Meyer. Please update.
Boxoffice, Feb. 9, 1970: “The West 11th Street Twin Drive-In Theatre which opened Aug. 6, 1969, was built by Moyer Theatres”