Our Past Is Present January 4, 2018

January 4, 2018

            This is “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.

            Many of our listeners will remember the “Mid-Way” Drive-In, which was located at 614 Grant Avenue.  In a 1983 article written by Mike Ardis, “Daily Union” newspaper staff writer, he stated that the “Junction City Police believe arson was the cause of an early morning fire at the Mid-Way Drive In. 

            Police and fire departments were alerted to the fire at 3:40 AM by Delvin Byrd a B & W taxicab driver, who was driving in the area at the time.  According to police reports, a suspect entered the concession area, removed numerous candy items and possibly set fire to the building.

            JCPD Investigator, A. B. Farrow, said that it appeared the office had been searched but he didn’t know if money had been taken.  Some items had been removed from the office,  Officers found two bags of chips, a case of Snickers candy bars and a case of M&M’s along the west perimeter fence about 200 yards from the office.  Farrow said the concession area was almost gutted and the fire department has estimated damage from the fire at $30,000.

            The last truck left the scene at 6:29 AM and no one was injured in the fire.  Tom Lobdell, assistant manager of the Westside Twin Cinema, said that the Mid-Way was currently only open on weekends.  He did not know how long the Mid-Way would be closed.

            There are many memories of the old drive-in.  If you have some to share, stop by our Museum and tell them to our staff.  We love hearing those stories about Geary County History and perhaps we can use some of them on “Our Past Is Present” from the Geary County Historical Society.