Lacey

A mid '60s air view of the South Sound Mall captured the Lacey across the street. From Lacey, Olympia, and Tumwater: A Pictorial History, by Shanna B. Stevenson. Photos by Del Ogden.

A newspaper article says that somewhere in Lacey is a glass mosaic artwork built by local seniors. The art piece shows the history of Lacey, and even shows the drive-in theater. In the article, senior citizens share their memories of the Lacey Drive-in. (Tacoma News Tribune, April 8, 1999)

Update: the art work is in storage pending funding to install at City Hall.

This is a picture of the marquee and screen tower. Photo was taken in November 1981 when a windstorm blew down part of the screen. Theater was located at 700 Sleater-Kenny Road S.E. A Fred Meyer store and surrounding strip mall now occupy the site. it was built and operated by the Art Zabel family until 1978 when it was sold to Tom Moyer's Luxury Theaters (based in Portland, Oregon) who operated it until it closed.

Screen tower was made of wooden poles and had ASBESTOS tiles on its face. Picture area of the screen was 40 feet by 90 feet. --Ken Layton

This is damage to the screen from the November 1981 windstorm. That's Mr. Ford A. Thaxton standing at the bottom of the screen for comparison. --Ken Layton

Projection booth and snack bar. Submitted by Ken Layton

Lacey field. Submitted by Ken Layton

Opening ad information, submitted by Ken Layton

Microsoft Terraserver satellite image of site more recently. You can see the northeast corner of the lot still cleared from the trees and not paved over, though now a park and ride occupies that spot.

USGS Lacey, 1959, 1968 and 1973

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