Orange County Cinema

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Hi-Way 39 Drive-In

August 31st, 2007 · 1 Comment

Hi-Way 39 Drive-In
7901 Trask Ave., Westminister, CA.

Specifications

    Operators: Pacific
    Status: Demolished
    Opened: 6/29/55
    Closed: 3/31/97
    Current Use: Retail Center
    Screens: 1/3
    Seating: Drive-in (1,900 cars)

Profile

Opened in 1955, beside Beach Blvd., the Highway 39 was billed as the west coast’s largest drive-in. Built at a cost of $450,000, the drive-in featured a 1,900 car capacity, a ten story high screen with a sailboat mural, and a snack bar advertised as being a quarter block in length. Originally built as a single screen, the venue was later divided in to a three screen by Pacific Theatres.

When the Highway 39 Drive-In closed, after a 42 year run, it was the last of Orange County’s eleven drive-in locations. The property was later redeveloped in to a retail park, anchored by a Wal-Mart and Lowes.

Trivia

The opening attraction was “Strategic Air Command”, featuring Jimmy Stewart.

The featured closing attraction was “Private Parts”, featuring Howard Stern. 

Images

 Hi-Way 39 Drive In Construction    Hi Way 39 Drive-In

Click on images for larger view

Tags: Westminister

1 response so far ↓

  • 1 A Mirrored Beginning and Ending // Jun 27, 2010 at 4:53 am

    […] 2010 by ccrouch This coming week marks the anniversaries of two county drive-ins; the 55th, for Westminster’s Hi-Way 39 Drive-In, and the 50th for Santa Ana’s Harbor Drive-In. Both were opened by Pacific Theatres, on […]