If you look on their careers page there is a mention of “Nationwide Theatres Corp”. Company information for this lists Christopher Forman as the key person so it looks like its still under that family’s ownership.
I believe I might’ve found this location. There was a drive-in located just north of Toughy Road Northeast, Louisville, OH. Its about 30 mins from Ravenna but old newspaper ads for a “Mid-City Drive-In” seem to point to this location. The drive-in was there in 1952 up until the early 1980’s. Its since been demolished but you can still see the shape of it today. The screen foundation is the only thing left.
In April 1966 the name was changed to the “Sundowner” and it was owned by Dollison Theaters. It kept that name until it presumably closed around 1979-80.
Correct opening date was May 27, 1955 with “Carnival Story”. An aerial photo from 1952 also shows no trace of the drive-in at that time. Google Street View shows the remains of the marquee and what looks like the remains of the concession building and foundations of the screen, besides that the site is empty. Closed in the mid 80’s.
Actually MichaelKilgore is correct, there were TWO drive-in’s in the area which opened within months of each other. The Dixieland opened in March 1952, while the Opp opened on June 5th, 1952. The original owners of the Dixieland were Bill Ward, Dan Page, Charles Gautney and John Young. The Opp was owned by George Owen who appears to have ended up buying out his competition as per the above Boxoffice article.
The one was located at 841 GA Hwy 129, Cochran. Its marked on topo maps from 1957 and 1964 but gone by 1977. The oldest aerial photo from 1981 shows nothing of the drive-in, it was farmland then and still is today. Probably closed in the mid 60s?
Closed in the early 1980’s.
If you look on their careers page there is a mention of “Nationwide Theatres Corp”. Company information for this lists Christopher Forman as the key person so it looks like its still under that family’s ownership.
Opened on September 16, 1953.
Opened on May 26, 1951 with “Trigger, Jr” and “Rhythm Hits The Ice”. Was still open in 1993, not sure on closing date.
This has been demolished recently, please update.
I believe I might’ve found this location. There was a drive-in located just north of Toughy Road Northeast, Louisville, OH. Its about 30 mins from Ravenna but old newspaper ads for a “Mid-City Drive-In” seem to point to this location. The drive-in was there in 1952 up until the early 1980’s. Its since been demolished but you can still see the shape of it today. The screen foundation is the only thing left.
Closed in 1983, Oak Tree Apartments now occupies the site.
It was also called BallOJak without the dashes in the name.
In April 1966 the name was changed to the “Sundowner” and it was owned by Dollison Theaters. It kept that name until it presumably closed around 1979-80.
Looks like this was also called the Azalea Garden Drive-In as well.
Was not built before 1963, looks like it closed in the 1970’s.
It looks like this was originally called the “Hiway Movie Drive-In” as per Mike’s comment. There’s a newspaper ad from 1951 with it under that name.
Correct opening date was May 27, 1955 with “Carnival Story”. An aerial photo from 1952 also shows no trace of the drive-in at that time. Google Street View shows the remains of the marquee and what looks like the remains of the concession building and foundations of the screen, besides that the site is empty. Closed in the mid 80’s.
Opened on August 5th, 1952 - original owner was Hubert R Mitchell. The opening film was “The Lady From Texas”.
In 1951 it was owned by B. Copeland (original owner?) who had advertised it for sale.
Was open as early as 1948, closed in September 1974.
Opened on July 18, 1948 with “Silver River”.
I should also add, the location of the Opp was at the present day address of Florala Hwy & Mullins St.
Actually MichaelKilgore is correct, there were TWO drive-in’s in the area which opened within months of each other. The Dixieland opened in March 1952, while the Opp opened on June 5th, 1952. The original owners of the Dixieland were Bill Ward, Dan Page, Charles Gautney and John Young. The Opp was owned by George Owen who appears to have ended up buying out his competition as per the above Boxoffice article.
The one was located at 841 GA Hwy 129, Cochran. Its marked on topo maps from 1957 and 1964 but gone by 1977. The oldest aerial photo from 1981 shows nothing of the drive-in, it was farmland then and still is today. Probably closed in the mid 60s?
The “co-directors” of this drive-in were Terry and Lowell Lytle.
Appears that it was a double bill of “Street Fighter” and “Junior”, what a way to go out…
Opened on August 11, 1950 - 200 car capacity.
Looks like it opened in 1950.
Advertisements for this drive-in in 1949 state “route 512 at Bath Boro line” so it either relocated or didn’t last very long.