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
Click on images for larger view
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 […]