Wind topples Spud Drive-In screen

DRIGGS, Idaho (KIFI) - Monday's destructive winds robbed Idaho of one of its oldest National Landmarks.

The screen at the Spud Drive-In Theater crashed to the ground sometime during the night.

"I was fixing something, and then I went to look out the front door to see if the screen was up," Spud Drive-In Manager Jedd Mumm said. "I just saw lights normally don't see. And then I saw a car drive all the way by and saw its lights the whole way. So and I knew it'd fallen down."

Drigg's Spud Drive-In was built in 1953. It's listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Tuesday morning, neighbors stopped by to offer their sympathy and remember the local icon.

Several yelled how sad the loss of the landmark was from the windows of their cars.

"This is part of rich history," Driggs resident Darlene Vestal said. "Between somebody hitting the truck and this blowing over it, it's a tragedy."

The manager of the drive-in says they will miss having the screen, but this may not be the end of the Spud Drive-In.

"The screen has been here for 70 years and it's given us a good run and well, and I'm just glad for insurance too, because that'll help," Mumm said.

The owner does plan to rebuild but needs to speak with contractors before they make any major plans.

Management expects the drive-in to be finished rebuilding in July.