Senator Drive-In

501 S. Senator Highway,
Prescott, AZ 86303

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Harry L. Nace Theatres

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Senator Drive-In

The Senator Drive-In opened in September 30 1950 with Yvonne De Carlo in “Black Bart” & Robert Young in “Adventure in Baltimore”. It was closed in 1986. The marquee stood for years after the theater closed, but despite much protesting, the theatre’s roadside sign was taken down in October 2008. It was restored and re-erected in December 2009. By 2023 only the outline of the marquee survived.

Contributed by Ken McIntyre

Recent comments (view all 14 comments)

rivest266
rivest266 on January 8, 2011 at 11:13 am

September 30th, 1950 grand opening ad is on this page at View link

Drive-In 54
Drive-In 54 on February 4, 2012 at 9:15 am

Uploaded the Grand Opening Ad and aerial view. It looks like another DI that could be reopened!!

jwmovies
jwmovies on November 21, 2012 at 11:49 am

Approx. location for this drive-in was south of 501 South Senator Highway. Most ramps are still up.

NYozoner
NYozoner on January 11, 2015 at 7:40 pm

Please update address to:

501 South Senator Highway
Prescott, AZ 86303

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on February 12, 2018 at 10:05 am

There was another article today about the still-standing sign in The Daily Courier of Prescott. An excerpt:

(Jane) Orr and (fellow Class of 1963 alum Stephen) Rogers, along with some other loyal drive-in patrons, have worked to maintain the sign, complete with posting occasional messages on the marquee to commemorate holidays, anniversaries, and at least one marriage proposal. The sole message prohibition: nothing commercial or political.

This past week, Orr and Rogers posted a Valentine’s Day missive: “Senator Drive-In — We Still Love and Miss You.” A big red heart is on the far side.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on February 15, 2018 at 9:54 am

The author of that article since told me that the Senator closed for good in 1986. She also said “early efforts to resurrect a theater didn’t go. Not deemed economical”. I still think it’s ripe for rebuilding, but what do I know?

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on February 15, 2018 at 10:50 am

The site might now be Prescott Christian Church?

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on December 26, 2019 at 8:11 pm

Boxoffice, June 21, 1952: “J. W. Barton has sold his Senator Drive-In in Prescott to W. L. Weir”

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on May 31, 2023 at 6:40 pm

Later operated by Theatre Operators, Inc (who also operated the Plaza West Cinemas and the Marina Theatres), and lastly by Wehrenberg Theatres.

Kenmore
Kenmore on May 31, 2023 at 8:36 pm

By 1992, the drive-in had been totally demolished. A 2010 aerial shows the ramps and foundation of the projection booth/concession stand still present.

By 2013, it appears the entire area was resurfaced. As if someone had dumped a bunch of dirt on the property. That removed the ramps and foundations. Today, only the outline and the marquee remains.

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