Lobo Drive-In

2700 US-90 E,
Alpine, TX 79830

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The Lobo Drive-In, owned by Theatre Enterprises and locally managed by Wally Davis, opened November 1, 1951. The location was described as being east of the city on Highway 90. It was a busy year-end for Alpine as Joe Davidson’s Twin Peaks Drive-In opened on December 20 on Highway 90, west of the city.

According to the Alpine Avalanche, effective January 3, 1954, the Lobo Drive-In, Granada Theatre and Tivoli Theatre were sold to Fred Jack.

In January 1966 it was announced that Joe Davidson was buying the Granada Theatre and Lobo Drive-In from Fred Jack. Mr. Davidson, who still operated the Twin Peaks Drive-In, said the Lobo Drive-In would remain closed.

Contributed by Ron Pierce

Recent comments (view all 6 comments)

kennerado
kennerado on August 2, 2023 at 12:04 am

The number is way off, its actually 2700.

Kenmore
Kenmore on August 2, 2023 at 9:57 am

The topo map appears to show the Twin Peaks Drive-In, which was west of the town. The Lobo was on the east end of town.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on August 2, 2023 at 1:14 pm

Kenmore is absolutely right. I have removed the misleading topo map.

Just sayin', it’s a little odd that there was no east side drive-in on the 1975 Alpine topo map, given that we’re sure the Lobo was still operating then. The 1984 aerial photo shows at least the ramps and projection booth of a drive-in less than two miles east of Alpine. As I type, the site is home to Alpine Diesel Service, with the confusing Google Maps address of 90530 east hwy 90 3539 e, US-90. Not quite as accurate but easier to type is the address of the animal shelter across the street at 2900 Old Marathon Rd.

Kenmore
Kenmore on August 2, 2023 at 3:21 pm

A closer address is 3539 US-90, Alpine, TX.

Google Maps has updated their addresses and this puts it right on the property. In fact, it’s the main building on the property.

The 1984 aerial does show the ramps, concession stand/projector booth, but the screen appears to be gone. By 1996 the entire property was razed and no trace of the drive-in remains.

https://tinyurl.com/bddsv5dz

Kenmore
Kenmore on August 2, 2023 at 3:24 pm

And, if the Lobo closed in 1966 as indicated in the description, then that might be why it didn’t appear in the 1974 topo map, but the 1975 topo map has the Twin Peaks.

Admittedly, both topo maps appear identical, but for whatever odd reason a small section of the 1975 topo map does NOT contain the area around the Lobo.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on August 2, 2023 at 3:55 pm

Boxoffice picked up that closure news in its Feb. 21, 1966 issue. “Fred Jack spent the better part of 40 years in one form or another of the motion picture business. He was for years division manager for Warner Bros. and later for United Artists before moving to Alpine, where he operated the Grande Theatre and Lobo Drive-In until his health dictated that he retire.”

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