Nothing Remains... except!

A few years ago, I was going to pick m y nephew up from daycare, and as I drove through the neighborhood where his preschool was located, I saw the fabulous candy machine that you see above, on a street corner with the sign "free" taped to the front of it.

After picking up my nephew, I drove past the street corner again, but this time I stopped.  I got out.  I oohed.  I aaahed.  And I was sold!  (Well, it was free, after all!)  Don't you just love the actual 'candy' sign?  It is one of my favorite parts of this vending machine.

Several years later, I have since gutted the inside (harder than you might have expected - it required a crowbar and a lot of elbow greese!) and cleaned it up.  A part  of my mini-blythe collection found its way into the candy slots, and we use inside to store dvds and vhs tapes.  Significant additional restoration is needed.  We have the gorgeous red bakelite-ish nobs that you pull to release your candy, that need to be reaffixed below the doll panel.  Also, as you can see the bottom is very scratched up.  I'd like to do something about the paintjob - either repaint it in its original colors - or - I can't help but flirt with the idea of red, or teal/turquoise.  Hmmm...

In any case!  When I was picking up the candy machine, the original owner (or, second owner I should say) came out of his house, and shared a little history.  This candy machine was originally located at the San Ramon Auto Movie - which was a drive-in theatre located in Dublin California.  The theatre operated from 1966 through the early 1980s.  According to the Cinema Treasures website: 

"The San Ramon Auto Movie was located off of Dublin Boulevard, adjacent to the 580/680 interchange. The drive-in was easily the most high-profile entertainment venue in the Tri-Valley area during the late '60's to the mid-70s. The land was owned by the Enea Brothers, who also owned drive-ins throuhout the Bay Area.

During the late '70s to early '80s, attendance lagged due to the construction of several multi-screen indoor theatres in Dublin and Pleasanton. Dublin incorporated as a city in 1982, and the drive-in sat in a high-profile traffic area. It closed in 1981 and was demolished in 1982, and was developed into a series of retail shopping centers, and most recently, car dealerships.

Nothing remains of this theatre, save for a few of the trees that lined the back of the screen and former driveway. Amador Valley Boulevard south of Dublin Boulevard was originally the entrance, which is now paved and riddled with stoplights."

Nothing remains?  I beg to differ.  Why, I have proof that a little something remains!  ; )

Here's to hoping you all have a candilicious day, on this Vintage Thingie Thursday!

If you would like to see additional entries, or blog about some vintage goodness yourself - check out Colorado Lady's blog - here:

http://coloradolady.blogspot.com/

I am also linked  up to: 

http://thebrambleberrycottage.blogspot.com/2010/06/time-travel-thursday-1-back-to-future.html

http://bec4-beyondthepicketfence.blogspot.com/2010/06/under-100-linky-party.html