July 3 was actually an unofficial trial reopening as I found out that night, but with over 100 cars there, I thought it was successful. It was great seeing the Twin Hi-Way back in action for the first time since its last season in 1996. They are open daily now, and the official grand reopening date will be advertised in the local newspaper soon.
GRAND RE-OPENING JULY 3!!! The features are “Surf’s Up” and “Spider Man 3”. Of course, I will be there good and early so that I can give a full report to my friends from the (defunct) Drive-In Theater Fan Club. Hope to see a big crowd there!
The last of the trio of drive-ins along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51 to open (May 29, 1959), it was also the last one to close, its final night of operation on July 31, 1988. This was one of many Pittsburgh area drive-in theaters owned by the family of Marty Warren, the others including Blue Dell, Belle-Aire, Greater Pittsburgh, Rose, and Super 30.
Located on top of a hill in the small borough of Large (no pun intended), the Echo opened on July 3, 1955. It was the second of three drive-ins located along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51, preceded by the Colonial five years earlier and followed by the South Hills four years later. The Echo closed at the end of the 1985 season, the first of the trio to close for good.
This was the first of the trio of drive-ins along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51, opening on May 26, 1950 (The Echo came five years later, followed four years later by the South Hills). Last night of operation (based on newspaper listings) was on September 6, 1987. The possibilty of bringing back the Colonial is no more since the land is now being dug up for new houses.
Although now owned by Carmike, it still bears the name CINEMA WORLD SOUTHLAND 9. Relocated from its original location in front of Century III Mall (where Toys ‘R’ Us stands) to down the road behind Southland Shopping Center (previously occupied by Wesley’s Bowling Lanes)
Opened in 1955 (not sure of the exact date at this time). This drive-in was located on the “back route” to Kennywood Park. The badly deteriorated screen is still standing as well as several speaker poles. The ticket booth was torn down a few years ago. The Pittsburgh Yellow and White Pages listed this as the “Woodland Drive-In” for years after it stopped showing movies. The flea market was discontinued a few years ago. The site is still used for auto auctions, first by MAG Auto Auction, now by Copart.
I just drove past the Twin Hi-Way this morning; they just started giving the back of the screen a fresh paint job. Hopefully, they will keep the lettering the same as they did with the marquee. Also, I think the pavillion and sand volleyball court that was built in front of the screen a few years ago have been razed, I’m not sure. I’m still waiting anxiously for word on the grand reopening date; both side of the marquee still say REOPENING SPRING 2007 at this point.
If you want genuine drive-in nostalgia, the Kane Road Drive-In is the place to go! 98% of the lot still has speakers, including the classic round Motiographs! Two separate signs out on the road include the marquee with Coca-Cola logo and ENTRANCE sign with classic Sprite logo. Snack bar includes three 40’s style candy machines. The drive-in itself is on a reverse incline with playground in front of the screen. Located in a residential area, across from an elementary school. Owned by Steve Gray. Used to have flea markets, but apparently have been discontinued since the words FLEA MARKET are covered on both side of the sign at the Kane Road turnoff on PA 151.
The Kenmawr Drive-In was a favorite of pop singer Lou Christie, who lived in nearby Glenwillard. He used to mention this one during between-song banter, usually before “Rhapsody In The Rain”.
That is one of the coolest names for a moviehouse: Cameraphone. There’s a great photo of this theater in the local book “Pittsburgh: Then & Now”. I believe its last year was 1967, I’m not sure. If I can pinpoint the last day of operation in my continuing research on Pittsburgh theaters, I’ll post it.
Opened as Lakevue Drive-In on August 30, 1950. It was renamed Mt. Lebanon/Lakevue the following year, then finally Mt. Lebanon. Final night of operation was August 2, 1987.
Opened May 22, 1953. Closed at the end of the 1987 season. When the Parkway North stretch of I-279 opened two years later, the two screens and ticket booth were still standing, visible from the Camp Horne Rd. interchange. All hopes of resurrecting the Camp Horne Drive-In were dashed once Giant Eagle and Home Depot bought the land several years later.
Opened July 2, 1949. One of many Pittsburgh area drive-ins to close after the 1986 season. Located in Kennedy Township at Coraopolis & Fleming Park Rds. (PA 51). Stanford Courts housing development now occupies the Kenmawr Drive-In site.
At this point, the box office has been refurbished and freshly painted and the marquee has been completely refurbished with brand new letters in the same exact font.
It’s looking great! This was the drive-in that me and my family saw
the original “Star Wars” at when it came out in 1977. I can hardly wait for its grand reopening!
The Blue Dell Drive-In was one of many drive-ins built on or just off of the original Lincoln Highway in Southwestern Pennsylvania; others included Super 30, Maple, Greater Pittsburgh, Ardmore, Twin Hi-Way and Super 30 West. This was also one of several drive-ins owned and operated by the Warren family. One of these, Belle-Aire, was built behind the Blue Dell Pool.
For years after closing, the drive-in screen and sign (as well as the pool sign and the deteriorating pool itself) remained standing. The screen was just taken down a few years ago. Vangura laminating plant now stands on the drive-in site.
July 3 was actually an unofficial trial reopening as I found out that night, but with over 100 cars there, I thought it was successful. It was great seeing the Twin Hi-Way back in action for the first time since its last season in 1996. They are open daily now, and the official grand reopening date will be advertised in the local newspaper soon.
GRAND RE-OPENING JULY 3!!! The features are “Surf’s Up” and “Spider Man 3”. Of course, I will be there good and early so that I can give a full report to my friends from the (defunct) Drive-In Theater Fan Club. Hope to see a big crowd there!
The last of the trio of drive-ins along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51 to open (May 29, 1959), it was also the last one to close, its final night of operation on July 31, 1988. This was one of many Pittsburgh area drive-in theaters owned by the family of Marty Warren, the others including Blue Dell, Belle-Aire, Greater Pittsburgh, Rose, and Super 30.
Located on top of a hill in the small borough of Large (no pun intended), the Echo opened on July 3, 1955. It was the second of three drive-ins located along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51, preceded by the Colonial five years earlier and followed by the South Hills four years later. The Echo closed at the end of the 1985 season, the first of the trio to close for good.
This was the first of the trio of drive-ins along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51, opening on May 26, 1950 (The Echo came five years later, followed four years later by the South Hills). Last night of operation (based on newspaper listings) was on September 6, 1987. The possibilty of bringing back the Colonial is no more since the land is now being dug up for new houses.
Although now owned by Carmike, it still bears the name CINEMA WORLD SOUTHLAND 9. Relocated from its original location in front of Century III Mall (where Toys ‘R’ Us stands) to down the road behind Southland Shopping Center (previously occupied by Wesley’s Bowling Lanes)
Opened in 1955 (not sure of the exact date at this time). This drive-in was located on the “back route” to Kennywood Park. The badly deteriorated screen is still standing as well as several speaker poles. The ticket booth was torn down a few years ago. The Pittsburgh Yellow and White Pages listed this as the “Woodland Drive-In” for years after it stopped showing movies. The flea market was discontinued a few years ago. The site is still used for auto auctions, first by MAG Auto Auction, now by Copart.
I just drove past the Twin Hi-Way this morning; they just started giving the back of the screen a fresh paint job. Hopefully, they will keep the lettering the same as they did with the marquee. Also, I think the pavillion and sand volleyball court that was built in front of the screen a few years ago have been razed, I’m not sure. I’m still waiting anxiously for word on the grand reopening date; both side of the marquee still say REOPENING SPRING 2007 at this point.
If you want genuine drive-in nostalgia, the Kane Road Drive-In is the place to go! 98% of the lot still has speakers, including the classic round Motiographs! Two separate signs out on the road include the marquee with Coca-Cola logo and ENTRANCE sign with classic Sprite logo. Snack bar includes three 40’s style candy machines. The drive-in itself is on a reverse incline with playground in front of the screen. Located in a residential area, across from an elementary school. Owned by Steve Gray. Used to have flea markets, but apparently have been discontinued since the words FLEA MARKET are covered on both side of the sign at the Kane Road turnoff on PA 151.
The Kenmawr Drive-In was a favorite of pop singer Lou Christie, who lived in nearby Glenwillard. He used to mention this one during between-song banter, usually before “Rhapsody In The Rain”.
That is one of the coolest names for a moviehouse: Cameraphone. There’s a great photo of this theater in the local book “Pittsburgh: Then & Now”. I believe its last year was 1967, I’m not sure. If I can pinpoint the last day of operation in my continuing research on Pittsburgh theaters, I’ll post it.
Opened as Lakevue Drive-In on August 30, 1950. It was renamed Mt. Lebanon/Lakevue the following year, then finally Mt. Lebanon. Final night of operation was August 2, 1987.
Opened May 22, 1953. Closed at the end of the 1987 season. When the Parkway North stretch of I-279 opened two years later, the two screens and ticket booth were still standing, visible from the Camp Horne Rd. interchange. All hopes of resurrecting the Camp Horne Drive-In were dashed once Giant Eagle and Home Depot bought the land several years later.
Opened July 2, 1949. One of many Pittsburgh area drive-ins to close after the 1986 season. Located in Kennedy Township at Coraopolis & Fleming Park Rds. (PA 51). Stanford Courts housing development now occupies the Kenmawr Drive-In site.
I just found the opening date of this one while doing research earlier today: June 26, 1974.
At this point, the box office has been refurbished and freshly painted and the marquee has been completely refurbished with brand new letters in the same exact font.
It’s looking great! This was the drive-in that me and my family saw
the original “Star Wars” at when it came out in 1977. I can hardly wait for its grand reopening!
The Blue Dell Drive-In was one of many drive-ins built on or just off of the original Lincoln Highway in Southwestern Pennsylvania; others included Super 30, Maple, Greater Pittsburgh, Ardmore, Twin Hi-Way and Super 30 West. This was also one of several drive-ins owned and operated by the Warren family. One of these, Belle-Aire, was built behind the Blue Dell Pool.
For years after closing, the drive-in screen and sign (as well as the pool sign and the deteriorating pool itself) remained standing. The screen was just taken down a few years ago. Vangura laminating plant now stands on the drive-in site.