America’s infatuation with drive-in theaters began in 1933 with the first known theater established in New Jersey. Popularity would continue to grow with the opening of the Drive-In Short Reel Theatre in Galveston on July 5, 1934, showing cartoons and short reels would be all the rage. America’s entry into WWII would soon slow the growth of drive-in theaters but the return of GIs from the war would rekindle the spark for entertainment away from the traditional movie theatre. The Baby Boomer generation would have a significant impact on the construction of drive-in theaters reaching its peak in the middle 1950s, with the erection of some 4000 driveins nationwide the following announcement appeared in the June 4, 1948 edition of the Fayette County Record: Drive-In Theatre Started Near Port C.H. Branson of Odessa started work Wednesday on the erection of a drive-in theatre near the La Grange Airport.
Actual construction of the 50x55 foot screen, projection booth and other needed facilities will get under way within the next few days. Mr. Branson said he hoped to be ready for opening in about 30 days.
The site is on the Rud. Vasek property south of the highway.
