Jet Drive-In
Lancaster, California1952-1984
Browse Jet Drive-In tees, long sleeve tees and hoodies. The Jet in Lancaster, California, sat in the Antelope Valley near the air bases where test pilots were breaking records, and it held about 400 cars on one screen. Its sign was a bright red board with Jet in big white script, and it was photographed in 2017 outside the Antelope Valley Rural Museum. Pick a style below, then read the full Jet history further down. Every shirt is printed to order in the USA and carries the memories of bygone places and teams.
4 products
Jet Drive-In History
The Jet Drive-In in Lancaster, California, opened in late 1952 on Avenue L, with one screen and room for about 400 cars. It belonged to Western Amusement Company. A commenter on Cinema Treasures says owner Ted Jones built it and that its manager, a man who went by Dump Myatt, gave it the name.
Lancaster sits in the Antelope Valley, close to the air bases and aircraft plants where test pilots were breaking records in those years. No source says that is why it was called the Jet, but it would have been hard to miss.
The Los Angeles Times last listed the Jet in November 1984, and no later operation has turned up. By July 1986 the screen was gone. Parts of the site lingered for years: the ramps, a stretch of block wall, the base of the screen and the snack bar foundation.
One piece survived in better shape. The sign, a bright red board with Jet in big white script and DRIVE IN THEATRE in yellow capitals, was photographed in 2017 outside the Antelope Valley Rural Museum.