Pioneer Drive-In
5425 TX-36,
Rising Star,
TX
76471
5425 TX-36,
Rising Star,
TX
76471
1 person
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Nearby Theaters
Located east of town on Route 36. The Pioneer Drive-In was opened on September 9, 1954 with Bob Hope in “Son of Paleface”. It was closed on November 30, 1975 with Peter Fonda in “Race with the Devil”.
When photographed in mid-1986 it was becoming overgrown with weeds and brush. As with so many old drive-ins, it was was refusing to go down easily. The back of the screen appeared to have been covered with faded green tin and "Pioneer" painted in block letters across the top. There was an additional vertical Pioneer sign on the left side. The box office was in bad shape, but still standing.
Contributed by
Billy Smith / Don Lewis
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater.
Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
Thanks Mike.
From 1986 in Cross Plains a photo of the Pioneer Drive-In Theater.
I’ve driven through Cross Plains many times. Last trip, the lady curator at the Robert E. Howard House said the Pioneer was “East on Route 36,” but I never could find anything resembling a former drive-in on any of the map apps. Finally I saw a note somewhere that it was “…about seven miles East, halfway to Rising Star,” implying that it served both communities. There’s a small lot on the south side of 36 about 1 km East of the “Pioneer Cemetery” with curved ridges looking like a drive-in parking area. This also fits with another description I saw, “containing a trailer house and a few unidentified structures.” I think this is the most likely location.
The address is TX-36 & Co Rd 251, Cross Plains, TX.
Today, it is private property with a small store on the front of the lot, but you can still see the ramps.
https://tinyurl.com/y72ml7f9
Billboard, Aug. 21, 1954: “R. L. Vaught and High Millington are building a 300-car capacity drive-in at a site between Rising Star and Cross Plains, Tex. It is expected to be completed by September.”
Billboard, Nov. 20, 1954: “Bob Vaught and Hugh Millington have opened the new Pioneer Drive-In between Rising Star and Cross Hains, Tex. It is equipped with CinemaScope.”
Motion Picture Exhibitor, Dec. 20, 1961: “Buford Kanz, Pioneer Drive-In, Cross Plains, Tex., has accepted a position in Mount Carmel, Ill., and his parents will operate the drive-in during his absence.”
Another date hint. Variety, Nov. 3, 1954: “Pioneer Drive-In opened between Cross Plains and Rising Star by Bob Vaught and Hugh Millingion. The ozoner is C’Scope-equipped.”
Opened September 9, 1954 with “Son of Paleface.”
A closer address is 5425 TX-36, Rising Star, TX.
Google Maps has updated their addresses and this puts it right in the center of the property.
Today, the outline and ramps are fading, but still somewhat visible. The projection booth/concession stand is still there, I think, although heavily refurbished and with a separate roof.
There is a structure standing where the ticket booth once stood and it may very well be the ticket booth. But I can’t say for sure.
https://tinyurl.com/yn2enhts
Last advertised show was November 30, 1975 with “Race with the Devil.”