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In our quest for drive-in information and a possible site for a new drive-in, we have been doing a lot of research recently.
(Update: 8/2/05: At this time we did not know of the plans for the new Big Sky Drive-In).
We had found a website put together by Jim Pierce that shows drive-in sites in Texas based on topographical maps and aerial photos. There were 4 drive-in sites in Midland: The Texan, at Hwy. 80 and loop 250; the Chief, on Andrews Hwy. between Midland and Golf Course streets; the Fiesta, near Midland Air Park, and another one that was on south Rankin Hwy. Based on research of theatres at Cinematour.com, this drive-in was called the El Rancho. This was confirmed by personal interviews with long-time Midland residents. According to most people’s recollections, the El Rancho closed sometime in the 60’s.

Here is a link to the Topographical Map from 1974 which shows the location of the El Rancho. Here is an

Aerial Photo from 1996 which shows the drive-in ramps still extant.

We thought we had seen something that looked like a drive-in screen framework out this way, so we decided to drive out for a closer look.

Here is a picture of the screen framework: You can still see a bit of cross-bracing material for the screen over on the leftmost pole.

A view of the screen from a distance.