El Pronto, Eugene 1947

The El Pronto was the first drive-in to open in Eugene, Oregon, and apparently caused a bit of a fuss among locals. It was November 1946 and parents feared it would become a gathering place for teenagers, possibly because it had a jukebox. Kids were warned to stay away but they ignored this, of course, and El Pronto became a popular hangout.

Favorite items on the menu were the ProntoPups, advertised as ‘the niftiest, thriftiest hot dogs in town.’ They cost 20c or six for $1.

 You can see these weiners in buns – complete with sombreros and elaborate moustaches and probably served with pico de gallo- rushing to offer themselves up to lucky customers.

Patrons who purchased an order of six received a ‘medal of accomplishment.’

There was a car service and also a fountain service that served carbonated drinks mixed from syrups and water as well as ice creams and milkshakes to kids sitting in booths.

The owners were  Dick Gentline and James Stuart and the two were obviously successful businessmen since El Pronto, located at 17th and Willamette, was enlarged in 1954.  We’re not sure when the establishment closed.

Fun fact: today some 30,000 acres of the beautiful Willamette Valley produces 99 per cent of all hazelnuts in the US and five per cent of world production.