Guthrie’s Beacon Drive-In Theatre Closes After 75 Years

Beacon Drive-In Theatre Marks the End of an Oklahoma Era

One of Oklahoma’s most recognizable entertainment landmarks is coming to an end. After 75 years of operation, Guthrie’s Beacon Drive-In Theatre will not reopen next summer, closing the book on what is widely regarded as Oklahoma’s longest-running drive-in movie theater.

The Beacon Drive-In Theatre first opened in 1949 and quickly became a staple for families, couples, and movie lovers who enjoyed watching films under the stars. For decades, it served as both an entertainment venue and a community gathering place in Guthrie.

Beacon Drive-In Theatre Property Sold for Redevelopment

The property housing the Beacon Drive-In Theatre has been sold for $2.2 million and will be redeveloped as the future home of Communication Federal Credit Union, according to transaction records. While the sale brings new economic development to the area, it also marks the loss of a site deeply tied to Oklahoma’s cultural history.

Drive-in theaters once dotted the Oklahoma landscape, but rising land values, changing viewing habits, and ongoing maintenance costs forced many to close. The Beacon survived longer than most, earning its reputation as a historic Oklahoma landmark.

Loss of Beacon Drive-In Theatre Reflects Changing Times

Community members have shared memories of first dates, family movie nights, and summer traditions centered around the Beacon Drive-In Theatre. Its closure highlights how entertainment habits have shifted toward indoor theaters and streaming services.

With the Beacon’s closure, Oklahoma is left with only a small number of seasonal drive-in theaters still operating.

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