Remember This Derogatory Message on a Colorado Drive-In Theater

UPDATE: My bad. Since this photo taken by my grandfather Robert Grant didn't come with any information, I assumed it was an image of the Chief Drive-In located in Grand Junction. As it turns out, this is actually the Chief Drive-In which used to operate in Rifle, Colorado. Information corrected November 30, 2021.

Do you remember the old Chief Drive-In located in Rifle, Colorado? Do you recall this dastardly act? Well, this goes back to the 1950s, so it probably outdates almost all of us. Who's behind this?

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Grand Junction of the 1950s

This photo comes to us from late Daily Sentinel photographer Robert Grant. The only info he provided on the print would be the date of the "1950s." That's not much to go on, but it's all we have.

The Chief Drive-In used to close down during the winter months. During the warmer months, though, it was the place to be.

Who's Responsible For This?

Alright... who did this? You wouldn't happen to know who's behind this, would you? There's a reason why I ask. A ton of fun has been had attempting to track down the subjects of my grandpa's old photos.

Do you remember the photo of the woman praying on Ash Wednesday? A post similar to this was created, and the woman photographed was identified. Unfortunately, she is no longer with us, but her family still lives in Grand Junction. Before long, the photo found its way to them.

The same thing happened when searching for the identity of the young girl getting about a foot-and-a-half of hair cut off. Some Grand Junction residents recognized her and pointed me in the right direction. The same thing happened again with the identity of the young man playing hooky and riding down North Avenue in the back of a truck.

All of these photos had one thing in common: all were Bob Grant's photos from the 50s and 60s. Someone somewhere recognized them and got the ball rolling.

No One Was Injured in the Making of... Whatever This is.

Before we go any further please let me say... I think the sign is funny. No damage was done, and while "whore" isn't exactly the most flattering word in the English language, I fail to see where any harm was done.

Quick question: Any guesses as to what the marquee said before the letters were rearranged? I see the letters "R" and "E" are missing from the top line. Assuming they were added to the message at the bottom of the sign, what do you suppose it said originally?

Step Up and Face the Music

It would be fun to discover who the mastermind was behind this. If you're responsible, come forward. If you happen to know who did it, here's your chance to let the cat out of the bag. Like I said above, I don't believe any harm was done. I'm sure the owners and management of the Chief Drive-In are over it. It's probably safe to say no one is holding any kind of grudge.

On a final note: Did you know the old sign from the Grand Junction Chief Drive-In is still in around? It's being stored in Orchard Mesa, along with the old Rocket Drive-In sign.

Grand Junction's Chief Drive-In Sign Located in Orchard Mesa

Grand Junction Colorado Residents of the 1940s and 50s Simply Enjoying Their Lives

Enjoy this short gallery of Robert Grant photos showcasing Grand Junction residents simply enjoying their lives. These photos were selected out a batch of damaged prints and negatives. After putting these on the shelf for a few years, I felt it was time for them to see the light of day. All images are from Grand Junction, Colorado, of the 1940s and 1950s.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Downtown Grand Junction Businesses of Yesterday

If you stop and think about it, several of the business pictured above are still up and running. Most of these photos were taken in the 1950s. Almost 70 years later, many are still going strong. Sure, some have moved to new locations, but others, Quincy's for example, are right where they've always been.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Western Colorado Winters of the Past

Here's a short gallery of Robert Grant photos showcasing Grand Junction and Western Colorado winters. They sure are fun. Then again, sometimes the snow and cold temperatures result in trouble.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Grand Junction Christmas Light Displays of the 1940s

These decorations don't compare to the magnificent blue light display you'll see in the neighborhood in the northwest part of town. It was a different time. Even at that, there's something heartwarming about these 1948 decorations.

These are the best of the best of 1948. I regret I don't know which house placed first, second, etc. In the end, it doesn't matter. They're all great. Take a look at the gallery. Who knows? You might see a house you recognize. For that matter, you might see someone you recognize.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Growers and Farmers of Western Colorado

You'll definitely recognize the surroundings. Bob Grant loved capturing Western Colorado icons in the shot. Whenever possible, he'd get Mt. Garfield in the background. If Mt. Garfield weren't available, he'd get the Bookcliffs, Grand Mesa, or even the Colorado National Monument.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Colorado Cannery Workers from September 1947

Let's go back to Coloroado 1947 with these hard working Americans.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Grand Junction Horses of Yesteryear

Please enjoy a number of Bob Grant photos from the Grand Valley's past. These came from a box labeled "Horse." Yep, that's it, the box was called "Horses." These were selected at random, covering a number of decades.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Awesome Grand Junction Fashion of the Past

Here's a fashion flashback to Grand Junction, Colorado, of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Many of these photos appeared in Sunday inserts promoting new fashions from Downtown Grand Junction merchants.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Random Images of Grand Junction

These 16 photos were chosen strictly at random. All photos are by Robert Grant.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Western Colorado Winters of the 1940s and 50s

Enjoy these winter images captured from various sites around Western Colorado. All images are by Robert Grant. The majority of these shots were pulled at random from a drawer of negatives labelled "January 1949." A few others came from a neighboring file cabinet filled with thousands of Bob Grant prints.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Life Around Grand Junction

Bob Grand photos from Grand Junction's past. People enjoying their lives as they go about their daily routine.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Colorado's Kanarado Mine

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Beauty Pageant Contestants of Western Colorado

Behold Western Colorado's "Miss Atomic Energy" and her attendants, plopped down on a filthy pile of highly toxic uranium ore. Take a trip back in time to Grand Junction of the past with these Bob Grant photos of local beauty queens and pageant contestants.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Grand Junction Father & Son Photos of World War I & II

The photos below are from the personal collections of father and son, James and Robert Grant. James L. Grant of Clifton served in the United States Navy during World War I. Years later, his son, Robert Grant, would serve in the United States Army in World War II.

James L. Grant served as the Postmaster of Clifton. His son, Robert, was the photographer at the Daily Sentinel from the late 1930s until his retirement in 1985. James passed away in 1971, and Robert in 2000.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: JUCO World Series of the Past

Grand Junction has hosted the Junior College World Series for close to half a century. For approximately half of those years, Bob Grant was there with his camera. He continued capturing images of the tournament until his retirement in 1985.

My dad (Bob Grant's son-in-law) went through a ton of Bob Grant negatives to dig up a few memories. Baseball fans are sure to remember many of these shots.

One of Bob Grant's most prized photos would be the first image in the gallery, the shot of the hawks at Suplizio Field. That particular shot won him an award from the Press Photographers Association.

As a Grand Junction native, I really enjoy some of the nostalgia spotted on the signs in the background. Did you see the billboard for "Mr. Steak"? If you were around Grand Junction in the 1970s, you definitely knew about "Mr. Steak."

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Random Photos of Grand Junction Residents of the 1940s

All of these images were lifted from negatives from Bob Grant's career. I have Bob's old negative cabinet at my house. It's loaded with tens of thousands of negatives, most in sleeves, some of which include information as to the contents.

KEEP SCROLLING: Robert Grant Photos: Movies Filmed in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah

Did you know some of your favorite movies from the 1950s and '60s were filmed in Western Colorado and Eastern Utah? Grand Junction photographer Bob Grant had a chance to shoot a few photos from these movie sets.

Filed Under: Grand Junction Colorado, Robert Grant Photos

Categories: Events: Grand Junction Colorado, Movies

Remember This Derogatory Message on a Colorado Drive-In Theater Sign?