The Myrtle Lane Drive-In theatre, located in Coquille, Oregon, right next to Rink Creek, opened July 18th, 1950. The Myrtle Lane Drive-In was originally owned and operated by Lloyd Claver and Orville Wood. Claver and Wood were co-owners of the Liberty and the Roxy theatres in Coquille as well. In 1951, Lloyd Claver and George Ulett bought Orville Wood’s interest in all three theatres, making Claver the primary owner of the Myrtle Lane Drive-In along with the Liberty and the Roxy.1
The Myrtle Lane Drive-In always showed double features in addition to cartoons and news. During the summer season (April-October), they were open seven days a week and typically did three changes per week. During the spring and fall seasons (March & October/November), the drive-in would be open four days a week (Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and Wednesday) and would have two changes per week. Typically, from late October through early March, they were closed for the winter to account for likely inclement weather.
The drive-in held 400 cars and utilized a 62ft x 54ft movie screen along with speakers for each car that played the synchronized audio.2 The screen was built to withstand harsh winds and weather and was one of the most modern screens of its time, using carbon arc lights to project films from up to 275ft away, which was very necessary for this large venue. The Myrtle Lane Drive-In also included a snack bar and a playground for the children. At the snack bar, they would sell typical movie fare along with pastries from the local Coquille Bakery. When the drive-in first opened, they advertised a merry-go-round that kids could ride for free; later, the establishment added more kids' amenities, creating a full playground where children could play while their parents watched the screenings.
Pricing at the Myrtle Lane Drive-In was 65 cents for adults, 50 cents for students, 20 cents for children, and free for children under 6. Every Wednesday, they would do “buck nights,” meaning they charged $1 per car rather than charging per person.3
The Myrtle Lane Drive-In closed sometime in the 1970s, with the official closing date still unknown. It is suspected to have closed in the mid 70s, as many people who frequented the Myrtle Lane Drive-In reported seeing films at the drive-in during 1974. Additionally, an aerial photo from 1970 showed the drive-in was still intact at the time. However, a topography photo from 1977 showed that the Myrtle Lane Drive-In had been taken off the map.
The property that the Myrtle Lane Drive-In once occupied is now a residential area.
