Jet Drive-In
400 W. Avenue L,
Lancaster,
CA
93534
400 W. Avenue L,
Lancaster,
CA
93534
3 people
favorited this theater
The Jet Drive-In was opened by Western Amusements in late-1952. It was closed in the mid-1990’s and was demolished in 2003.
Contributed by
R.G.
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Recent comments (view all 21 comments)
Map is way off the ramps are still there the Jet Drive-In was on Avenue L near Sierra Highway
here is a street view of the jet
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=Lancaster,+CA,+United+States&ll=34.660322,-118.13678&spn=0.004907,0.009645&t=h&z=17&layer=c&cbll=34.660319,-118.137016&panoid=JPYAb5mlYvk4lpHlmxKiYw&cbp=12,228.13,,0,6.48
Here is a satellite view of the jet
http://maps.google.com/maps?q=34.660155,-118.137147&ll=34.660684,-118.136051&spn=0.004907,0.009645&sll=34.659528,-118.136051&sspn=0.004907,0.009645&num=1&t=h&z=17&iwloc=A
Well…I also may have a little bit of information someone might find of interest. The Jet Drive-in was built in 1955 by Ted Jones, the owner of Western Amusement Company. Mr.Jones Included towns of Barstow, Victorville, Needles, and Lancaster, amongst others, as choice locations for movie theaters. He built and/or purchased theaters in these locations. The Jet was built, named and managed by Mr. Dump Myatt who worked for Mr. Jones in excess of 50 years. The Western Amusement Co. purchased the Antelope Theater (walk-in) from Mr. Roach in 1948, who, by-the-way, was a shrewd negotiator. They also purchased the Valley theater (walk-in) from Judy Garlands Father, which burned down in 1953. From 1948 until his death in 1981 Mr. Myatt ran the Valley until burning down, then the Antelope, and when construction was completed in 1955,…simultaneously the Jet Drive.
All are now memories of the past.
As a side note. The Lancaster Drive-in (the competitor on the north side of town)was built by Tex Griffith, who was an ex-partner with Mr. Jones.
@eriejoni…In looking at aerials it was there in 1953.
Does anyone remember the great pastrami sandwich from the snack bar? Never have found another one like it. Very fond memories!
Ah the Jet theater I remember seeing Alice’s Restaurant in 1969 there along with the Planet of the Apes in 1968. I saw It’s a Mad Mad Mad World in 1965 at the Antelope theater on Lancaster Blvd. Having lived in the Antelope Valley for 52 years
Jet Drive-In signage photo added credit Karl Peterson.
Closed in mid 1990s. Screen demolished in 2003. The snack bar(and bio box?) burned down sometime in the 1990’s.
The Jet Drive-In opened in late 1952. The aerial photo posted at the top of this page is from 1953.
The Los Angeles Times last advertised the theater in November 1984, but I cannot find any information of this theater continuing operating after that.
Correction: the above address is the auto salvage yard next door.
The correct address is 400 W Ave L.
This point directly to the skeletal ramps and entrance. Ramps though barely visible are intact.
Please update.