by Laurel | April 28th, 2010
The Sundown Theater
How many people remember the Sundown Drive-In? I remember it well, not so much as a consumer, though I remember going to the Sundown as a kid with my parents and those scratchy speakers attached to the car window. However, my grandparents lived a short walk away, on Old County Road, in Holyoke, just past the Westfield town line, so I saw it all the time. I remember years later at HCC groups of people would go, with some hiding in the trunk. Did you know in the early years there were also other events held there, for example drive-in church services on Easter?
April 27, 1948
Edward Harrison formerly manager of the Court Square theater, has been appointed manager of the new “Sundown” Auto Theater, located midway between Westfield and Holyoke on Route 202, and which will have a gala opening Thursday night. The Mayors of Springfield, Westfield and Holyoke have been invited and it is expected they will speak during the radio period.
There will be space for 600 automobiles, and each car will be provided with an individual speaker when it enters the grounds. The screen is 80 by 80 feet. The theater is owned and operated by residents of the community, headed by Own Holmes, former owner of the Auto Vision theater in Albany. Mr. Holmes and Mr. Harrison have lined up programs of proven hits with the opening bill consisting of “Slave Girl,” costarring Yvonne DeCarlo and George Brent, and “The Vigilantes Return” with Jon Hall and Margaret Lindsay.
From The Springfield Republican.
The Sundown Theater 1952
Easter Sunday Service
