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History of

 Maxine's Drive-In

(or should it be the History of Charlie's Drive-In)

The material posted on this web page was, for the most part, provided by Mrs. Forrest Finch.  In 1992 Mrs. Finch decided to write down some notes for posterity.   In her "What Virginia Finch Remembers in 1992" (See Link) she says she "realizes that she is living on borrowed time."  (Please note that as we publish this history in October 2003, Mrs. Finch is still a borrower)

Time will attempt to erase all memory of Maxine's Drive-In.  Your Chaffee Historical Society, by publishing this "Maxine's Drive-In" history, hopes to keep the memory alive.

 

 

 

Maxine's Drive-In (Photo taken 1953)

 

"We bought it, changed the name to Maxine's Drive In and reopened it September 1, 1953"

Virginia Finch

 

From an original distributed handbill in 1953 (scanned from an original in October 2003)

 

    

 

Maxine's Drive In

 

The source of this history comes from "What Virginia Finch Remembers in 1992"

 

"In April 1953 Dennis and Marie Hughes had a Drive In Restaurant built on the corner of Yoakum Avenue and Highway 77. (See Note #1)  Their son Charles was a Senior in high school and they thought that would be a good place for him.  They named it Charlie's Drive In, so sure he would like to operate the drive in.  But Charlie had thoughts of his own and it didn't include their plans for him.  They ran it until summer was almost over and decided to sell it.  He had considered it a good buy at $17,000.  So near the High School, Skating Rink, Swimming Pool, and Harmon Field a park with ball courts etc.  We talked to them and he agreed to hold the papers and let us pay it out in payments.

We bought it, changed the name to Maxine's Drive In and reopened it September 1, 1953.  I operated it for five years.  We had it payed (?) out enough we could finish paying it off with rent.  (See Note #1)

It looked so easy on the other side of the counter that it was no problem to rent it.  When it began to need that extra cleaning and repair work then they would take off.  We would have to go back and clean and repair it for the next ones.

After several times of that we decided to make them buy the equipment.  That helped, but the ideal set-up was when Maxine and Dave decided to try it.

They took it in May of 1967.  It will soon be 25 years and it is still a popular and good place to eat and visit.  Dave keeps the equipment repaired.  They have added new services and updated equipment.  Brenda is sharing the work and responsibility with Maxine.  They can't complain about the amount of customers they have."

Virginia Finch

 

   

Photo from 1983

 

    

 

Note #1:  In a published article clipped from the newspaper in 1958 ..... "Mrs. Finch has been managing Maxine's Drive-In on Highway 55 until Oct 18 of this year, when Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Haupt took over the business."   So now we have documented the first three owners of Maxine's Drive-In ..... and how many of our townspeople can remember Highway 55.

AND ..... who can provide us with a photo of Charlie's Drive-In?  (We won't hold our breath for that photo to surface)

The Chaffee Historical Society wishes to express our appreciation to Mrs. Forrest Finch and indeed the entire Finch Family for their willingness to provide the material to allow us to publish this History.

This Maxine's Drive-In History Published to Chaffeehistory.com October 2003