Lone Star Drive-In
Dallas, Texas1951-1987
Shop Lone Star Drive-In tees, long sleeve tees and hoodies. The Lone Star in Dallas, Texas, opened in 1951 with Broken Arrow and by 1954 had three free swimming pools for customers. It turned to adult films in 1966 and kept them for more than 20 years, until the city sued over its expired license in 1987. Pick a style below, then read the full Lone Star history further down. We are an American small business bringing back the signs and logos of places and teams that are long gone but remembered fondly.
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Lone Star Drive-In History
The Lone Star Drive-In in Dallas, Texas, opened in 1951 with Broken Arrow, on Military Parkway in the east part of the city, with fireworks to start the evening. E. L. Pack built it as part of a circuit that had Lone Star drive-ins in other Texas cities. It held about 650 cars. Later ads gave its address as 4600 Lawnview Avenue.
It began as a family theater. In 1954 a Billboard item reported a $50,000 improvement program at the Lone Star and a sister theater, with three swimming pools at each, free to customers, plus picnic patios.
In 1966 the Lone Star turned to adult films, and it stayed with them for more than 20 years. Locals called it the Porn Star. Neighborhood kids watched from a trailer roof, police ran off the cars parked along Lawnview, and people still argue about whether the screen could be seen from R. L. Thornton Freeway.
In November 1987 the city of Dallas sued over its expired license for a sexually oriented business. After a hearing on December 18, 1987, the screen stayed dark. At about 36 years, its run was the longest of any Dallas drive-in. The theater was later demolished.