Sundown Drive-In
Whittier, California1954-1990
Browse Sundown Drive-In tees, long sleeve tees and hoodies. The Sundown opened in Whittier, California, in 1954 with the name in big script across a curved, ribbed screen tower among palm trees. It held about 900 to 1,000 cars on an unusual double ramp layout. Pick a style below, then read the full Sundown 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.
4 products
Sundown Drive-In History
The Sundown Drive-In in Whittier, California, opened on August 25, 1954, at 12322 Washington Boulevard, with Valley of the Kings and The Desperado. Hugh Bruen built it for his Bruen's Theatres. The designers were Balch, Bryan, Perkins and Hutchason, with William Glenn Balch as lead architect, and it was reported to be among the first Southern California drive-ins equipped for wide-screen films from opening day.
It held about 900 to 1,000 cars on an unusual double-ramp layout. The name ran in big script across a curved, ribbed screen tower among palm trees. A former employee from the early 1970s recalls selling tickets, working the snack bar and ushering on a bicycle, and waking up people who had slept through the last show. He says the popcorn arrived already popped in large bags and was warmed before sale.
Pacific Theatres closed the Sundown on September 3, 1990, with Taking Care of Business and Arachnophobia. It ran as a swap meet for several more years and was demolished in February 1999. A Home Depot stands there now.