Hutch Post, in partnership with Steve Harmon and the Conard-Harmon Collection, is proud to present Throwback Thursday. Enjoy a weekly release from Steve Harmon as he presents the "Hutch - Then & Now Collection."
STEVE HARMON
Hutch Post Contributor
Today's "Throwback Thursday Collection" takes us to the rural corner of East 4th Avenue and North Obee Road.
The Iris Drive-In, sometimes called the Airport Drive-In Theatre, was built in 1948 by the Sproule brothers: Robert, Carl, Lee and George.
DBA Sproule Theatre Circuit, the theatre was built at a cost of $75,000 with a 35-by-47-foot screen tower and a 500 car capacity.
The theatre opened in July of 1948. The first feature was the 1946 comedy "A Night In Casablanca" starring the Marx Brothers.
The Sproule Brothers built this as well as the State Theatre, later called the Flag Theatre. In May of 1966, Jay Wooten & Dennis Montee purchased the drive-in, DBA Farmington Corporation. They also owned the Ayr-Vu and South Hutch drive-ins.
The first photo shows The Iris from the air about 1968.
In 1972, Jay and Dennis sold the South Hutch and Iris to Commonwealth Theatres. On June 27, 1973, The Iris reopened as the Airport Drive-In. It started showing R and X-rated films, causing some problems. The venue was closed for good in 1982.
The property stood empty until 1997 when the Rev. Harold Nelson was able to acquire the property to build a new church. The structures were all razed and, in 1998, The New Hope Baptist Church was built.
The second photo shows the building at 4815 E. 4th & Obee Rd. today, still the New Hope Baptist Church, with Brian Lee the pastor now.
To purchase a print, contact: [email protected].
Throwback Thursday is brought to you by:
Gambino's Pizza
Sleep Shoppe & Furniture Gallery
Hutchinson/Reno County Chamber of Commerce
STRATACA Kansas Underground Salt Museum
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.