Yellow Jacket Drive-In
884 TX-115,
Kermit,
TX
79745
884 TX-115,
Kermit,
TX
79745
2 people
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My grandfather was Bill b Smith and I grew up in this theater and high school’s mascot was a yellow jacket in fact there was one painted on the tower and that was my first job starting at 8 years old I would count the heads in the car tell my grandmother and she would tell me how much money to ask for me and my brother would get a wheelbarrow and get the letters to put on the Marquee of what was the next movie to be showing and then when I turn 12 I started working at a concession stand and right before they sold it which was a devastating day for me I was learning how to run the projector and what the cigarette burn was all about
The Tower Drive-In Theatre launched in 1949. Sold in 1953, it would become the Yellow Jacket.
Billboard, May 16, 1953: “Paul W. Gay has taken over management of the Oasis, Kermit, Lariat and Tower Drive-In theaters in Kermit, Tex. … He replaces Frank Love Jr., who is retiring.”
In early 2019 a RV Park was opened up on the old drive in property and the concession building was torn down.
Probably the origin story, from the Aug. 16, 1952 issue of Billboard:
Frank Love Jr., manager of the Kermit Theaters, Kermit, Tex., announces that construction will start there soon on a 500-car capacity drive-in.
Did the high school mascot wear a yellow jacket?
know i’m late but thanks!
dansdriveintheater….I have been doing research on the Texas drive ins for years. Plus I work with a gentleman who is from Kermit, Texas. There is your proof.
where did you hear that drive-inf fan. just curious i want proof! because if you lived in the area when the drive-in existed and the drive-in owners or school staff told you so then i’d believe you but if you didn’t grow up in the area i want proof!
The drive in was named for the High School mascot.
Why the name Yellow jacket?
300 cars.
A closer address is TX-115 and E Dallas Ave, Kermit, Texas. The drive-in was located on the east side of the town. It was built before 1968, but a 1996 aerial shows the screen was already down.
A 2013 Google street views shows the outline, ramps, and projection booth/concession stand are present.
https://tinyurl.com/y82ayj6d