Ark Vue Drive-In

2701 N. Summit Street,
Arkansas City, KS 67005

Unfavorite 2 people favorited this theater

Showing 9 comments

Kenmore
Kenmore on February 12, 2024 at 9:33 am

The drive-in was still intact in 1981, but was demolished by 1985. Although the screen foundation and general outline was still present.

There appears to be a go-kart track in the 1981 aerial, between the entrance and exit roads. Something that was not present in the 1956 aerial.

Another slightly interesting feature was that the screen in 1956 appears to be a widescreen, something that was just being constructed in drive-ins at the time. Plus, the screen sits a considerable distance from the first row.

GaryL
GaryL on May 23, 2016 at 5:52 am

Sorry – no photos. In fact, the pics of the Ark Vue on this site are new to me. FWIW, they are exactly as I remember it. :)

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on May 22, 2016 at 6:46 pm

Hey Gary….have any pictures of it to share??

GaryL
GaryL on May 22, 2016 at 6:22 pm

Okay, I was off by a month… memory ain’t what it used to be. At least I got the feature right. :)

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on May 22, 2016 at 6:07 pm

Just posted the opening day movie ad. It opened June 1,1954

GaryL
GaryL on May 22, 2016 at 5:31 pm

The 1949 opening listed above is incorrect. The Ark Vue drive-in theater opened in July of 1954; the movie was “Showboat” with Ava Gardner and Howard Keel. I was there for the event, my brother-in-law was the manager of the theater. Also, the Ark Vue was definitely still operating in the 80’s. Finally, in the city directories of the day, you’ll find the address was listed as 2511 N Summit.

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on September 21, 2013 at 5:50 am

Great pictures dallas!!

jwmovies
jwmovies on September 4, 2012 at 5:12 am

Address # should be 2701. Address given above is south of the Walmart.

wmu81
wmu81 on April 20, 2011 at 8:16 am

Now the WalMart on N Summit/US-77