Adversity and change at the start of the Sunset - Jonathan Down (Blog #1)

The Sunset Drive-In Theater went through shocking adversity and changes within its first 6 years. Just in the first year, a large storm hit, which took out the whole center of the sign; the 9 ½ by 16 foot chuck was completely blown out and was estimated to be around 2,000 dollars in damages. After opening and getting through its first year with its own challenges, the theater decided that it needed to cater to its family audiences. In 1952, just two years after its opening, general manager Harold Wright announced that the theater had purchased several sets of swings and a teeter-totter to be installed at the Drive-In. This playground would sit at the front of the drive-in under the screen to keep the kids out of view. This project took about ten weeks to complete and remained at the drive-in. This was not the only major development to the Sunset. Within the first five years of opening, there were two robbery attempts and a major storm! Starting with the robberies, the first one was actually quite serious and came up in multiple newspapers. On July 15, 1955, the Daily Astorian put out a paper detailing the robbery of a 200-pound safe from the Sunset. In total, this safe contained 925 dollars and was taken during the night using only a one-inch jimmy bar. Just a year later, on November 26th, the Daily Astorian released another story slightly less alarming; this time only 24 dollars and a typewriter were stolen. These stories that I have found only add to the unique history and experiences that the Sunset Drive-in Theater contains and I have come to appreciate.