Sunset Auto-Vue Drive-In
132 Mount Idaho Grade Road,
Grangeville,
ID
83530
132 Mount Idaho Grade Road,
Grangeville,
ID
83530
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A slightly closer address is 132 Mt Idaho Grade Rd, Grangeville, ID.
Google Maps has updated their addresses and this puts it right on the projector booth/concession stand.
Boxoffice, July 16, 1955: “GRANGEVILLE, IDA. - A new drive-in one mile south of here on the Mount Idaho Road is slated to open late this month for Al Wagner, owner of the Blue Fox Theatre here. The drive-in will accommodate 300 cars and will have a screen measuring 72x32 feet.”
Boxoffice, July 30, 1955: “Ground has been broken here for a new drive-in for Al Wagner & Sons. The airer, located one-half mile south of the Grangeville-Harpster highway, will accommodate 300 cars and is expected to be opened late this summer. Footings have been poured on the 72x32-foot screen. John Wagner, Blue Fox Theatre manager, and his brother Al jr. will operate the drive-in.”
Boxoffice, Sept. 10, 1955: “Boasting a 72x32 screen, one of the largest in this part of the country, the Sunset Auto Vue has made its debut as Grangeville’s new drive-in. RCA projectors and 300 speakers, tilted screen on a tower 48 feet off the ground, and latest type concession equipment are features of the ozoner, which is just a mile from Grangeville’s business center.”
The January 13, 2020 Lewiston Tribune reports that high winds have destroyed the screen, and that the owner plans to rebuild.
https://tinyurl.com/ycv62abo
What’s the car capacity?
In looking at a Google Street view of the Blue Fox theater the marquee for it does not have a separate location for the DI movies. Unfortunately the current Street View is from March of 2011 so no DI advertising is on it to see how they set it up. According to the directions it is 1.5 miles from the DI.
Why is the marquee several miles away?
The screen faces west, so while waiting for the movie, you might get to watch the sunset. Hence, the name.
Here is the correct address: Mt Idaho Grade Rd & Grangeville Salmon Rd, Grangeville, Idaho, 83530
Website: http://www.bluefoxtheater.com/sunset-auto-vue
This is a cool drive-in, although in a remote part of the state. The screen blew down in January of 2008. Instead of closing down, they bought a new Selby tower. The snack bar has good food & prices.