The new list of most endangered historic places in Texas includes Brazos Drive-In Theatre in Granbury.
The list of seven was released Thursday by Preservation Texas Inc., a nonprofit group that raises money and awareness for saving historic places.
The Preservation Texas Web site describes the Brazos Drive-In Theatre in Granbury:
Known as “Texas’ Finest Small-Town Drive-In Theatre,” the Brazos Drive-in opened in 1952 on U.S. Highway 377, which at that time, was the edge of Granbury. Constructed with local materials by businessmen to lure people into town, the drive-in was one of the few entertainment venues in Granbury and Hood County. When it opened, the drive-in had the latest in projection and sound equipment, and, today, all the features of the drive-in remain on the original five-acre site. The Brazos continues to serve as a community gathering place, attractive to families and young people.
At their heyday in the 1950s, there were approximately 400 drive-in theatres in Texas and, today, the Brazos Drive-In is one of twelve remaining in operation. Drive-ins decreased in popularity as the television became more affordable and with the invention of the VCR. The Brazos Drive-in is popular and beloved by Granbury residents, however, it suffers from low attendance, high property taxes, and increased overhead. Surrounding development is encroaching on the property and lights from the adjacent high school football stadium disrupt the movie experience.
The rest of the list includes: Austin Women's Club in Austin; Herff Farm in Boerne; downtown Austin's historic assets; Old Llano County Jail, known as "Red Top," in Llano; San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site in La Porte; and the Swenson Swimming Pool and Bathhouse in Spur.
Preservation Texas has been releasing a list of endangered historic places since 2004.
Several DFW area landmark locations have been highlighted in past years. In 2009, Fort Worth's Heritage Plaza and Bluff Dale Bridge in Erath County made the list.
More: Preservation Texas
