East Sprague Drive-in
America married its love of cars and movies in the concept of the drive-in theater. There were several around Spokane from the 1940s to the 1980s. A few lasted until the early 1990s. Few loved the movies as much as businessman Joseph Rosenfield. Born and raised in the Midwest, he began managing theaters as a young man. He came to Spokane in 1935 to manage Evergreen Theaters. In 1943 he started his own chain, Favorite Theaters, in Spokane. He grew the chain to nine movie houses and drive-ins. He envisioned and built the largest of Spokane’s drive-ins, the East Sprague Drive-in.
Section:Then & Now
Image One
Courtesy of the Spokane Valley Heritage Museum
Image Two
Jesse Tinsley
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