David, you are correct. This was not the Maplewood, which was located just outside the city limits in Maplewood, Mo. This theater was in the city close to the area that is now considered “The Grove”.
In the photos section, there are two pictures that I took of the former Drive-In marquee as it was being used to advertise what was showing at the Ronnie’s 20 (until a tornado took it out). The Marquee stood directly in front of the screen, with the entrance to the right and the exit to the left. Current businesses in the plaza can be seen in one photo to the east (Ronnie’s 20) and to the west (TGI Fridays).
St Louis County is separate from the city of St Louis, and there are a number of incorporated towns in the county as well as quite a bit of unincorporated area throughout the county. Those unincorporated areas are listed as “St Louis”. As an example, I live in the Oakville area, but since it is unincorporated my mailing address is considered “St Louis”.
The theater/barn faces the town of Benld, but is actually in the town of Mt Clare. You could literally walk across the parking lot and street in front of it and be in Benld.
Kenmore, I thought the same thing. I would think whomever maintains the road (city, county, state) would want to divert around the bridge for the people who live down that road. But then that would more than likely end the drive-in as they would take part of the field more than likely. I don’t think it would make much economic sense for a potential owner to have to pay off the VFW for some of their land just to enter the drive-in. But that bridge is definitely rough.
This is the same location and screen (and refurbished sign) as the Moon Lite. It is different owners but the same location. I have photographed it both before reopening and after. The only thing not the same is the concession/projection booth which was rebuilt when the Drive-In was reopened. The original North DI was further down Lafayette toward downtown Terre Haute and has its own listing.
Went by this theater Saturday night (12-15) and was surprised to see the marquee lit up and “Happy New Year” on it. I hope this restoration goes through and the theater is reopened soon. DuQuoin has taken some hard hits in the last decade but it’s one of my favorite Southern Illinois towns and the Fairgrounds are one of America’s most famous.
The Stifel Theater (Kiel Opera House) in St Louis just screened The Brain there in October for Mystery Science Theater 3000. Does that mean it is now a “Cinema Treasure”?
If I may speculate, my guess is the lease arrangement was much more favorable across the street at the University Place. Plus AMC had put some money into the University Place as well. If one had to go, it made sense that it was this one.
The two routes of 66 that ran through Springfield were 6th street (Business I-55) and Illinois Route 4. The Route 66 DI is located between these routes along US 36/I-72 frontage road. The original 66 Drive-In was located on 6th Street just off the exit from I-55. Their claim to being on Route 66 is incorrect.
The 66 Drive-In in Springfield was demolished back in the ‘80’s. The Route 66 Drive-In in Springfield is the former Green Meadows Drive-In that was dormant for many years by Knights Action Park and reopened. It is not located on the former Route 66 as it goes through Springfield. The Sky View in Litchfield is the only active Drive-In on Route 66 through Illinois.
A couple of things. One, Sappington is not a city. The theater is in unincorporated St Louis County in an area that is known as Sappington. But the postal city address is considered St Louis. Two, the Ronnie’s 8 and the Ronnie’s 20 are two different buildings. The Ronnie’s 8 was built on the property while the Ronnie’s Drive-In was still operating. Later after the Drive-In property was redeveloped, the Ronnie’s 20 was built to the north of the Ronnie’s 8 and then the Ronnie’s 8 was demolished for more parking.
David, you are correct. This was not the Maplewood, which was located just outside the city limits in Maplewood, Mo. This theater was in the city close to the area that is now considered “The Grove”.
In the photos section, there are two pictures that I took of the former Drive-In marquee as it was being used to advertise what was showing at the Ronnie’s 20 (until a tornado took it out). The Marquee stood directly in front of the screen, with the entrance to the right and the exit to the left. Current businesses in the plaza can be seen in one photo to the east (Ronnie’s 20) and to the west (TGI Fridays).
St Louis County is separate from the city of St Louis, and there are a number of incorporated towns in the county as well as quite a bit of unincorporated area throughout the county. Those unincorporated areas are listed as “St Louis”. As an example, I live in the Oakville area, but since it is unincorporated my mailing address is considered “St Louis”.
It IS the site of a church. Eyewitness account.
Seth, I agree that 331 W Main is the former Strand. I’m going through there next week and take a closer look.
Seth, I agree. The only way I found this one was when I was on my way to get a picture of the Covington downtown.
The theater/barn faces the town of Benld, but is actually in the town of Mt Clare. You could literally walk across the parking lot and street in front of it and be in Benld.
The victim of eminent domain. I-55 cut right through where the screen and the east field of the drive-in was.
It was on US Route 66.
Kenmore, I thought the same thing. I would think whomever maintains the road (city, county, state) would want to divert around the bridge for the people who live down that road. But then that would more than likely end the drive-in as they would take part of the field more than likely. I don’t think it would make much economic sense for a potential owner to have to pay off the VFW for some of their land just to enter the drive-in. But that bridge is definitely rough.
I would love to not only see the drive-in restored but the historic Route 66 bridge leading to it restored as well.
Silvis-East Moline-Rock Island=Semri.
The actual address is 3020 Hwy 70 East. The above address took me on a wild goose chase to the west side of town.
I was just down there last month, and the marquee sign is still being used by the RV park, though upgraded since I took these pictures.
This is the same location and screen (and refurbished sign) as the Moon Lite. It is different owners but the same location. I have photographed it both before reopening and after. The only thing not the same is the concession/projection booth which was rebuilt when the Drive-In was reopened. The original North DI was further down Lafayette toward downtown Terre Haute and has its own listing.
This North DI is the current Moon Lite DI. The pages should be joined.
When I was in Memphis, I looked for this theater and couldn’t find anything that looked like this theater. I presumed that it had been demolished.
Went by this theater Saturday night (12-15) and was surprised to see the marquee lit up and “Happy New Year” on it. I hope this restoration goes through and the theater is reopened soon. DuQuoin has taken some hard hits in the last decade but it’s one of my favorite Southern Illinois towns and the Fairgrounds are one of America’s most famous.
The Stifel Theater (Kiel Opera House) in St Louis just screened The Brain there in October for Mystery Science Theater 3000. Does that mean it is now a “Cinema Treasure”?
If I may speculate, my guess is the lease arrangement was much more favorable across the street at the University Place. Plus AMC had put some money into the University Place as well. If one had to go, it made sense that it was this one.
This is the Sunset DI in Evansville, Indiana
But if you have a projector you can show your own movies out the back of your apartment on a giant screen.
The two routes of 66 that ran through Springfield were 6th street (Business I-55) and Illinois Route 4. The Route 66 DI is located between these routes along US 36/I-72 frontage road. The original 66 Drive-In was located on 6th Street just off the exit from I-55. Their claim to being on Route 66 is incorrect.
The 66 Drive-In in Springfield was demolished back in the ‘80’s. The Route 66 Drive-In in Springfield is the former Green Meadows Drive-In that was dormant for many years by Knights Action Park and reopened. It is not located on the former Route 66 as it goes through Springfield. The Sky View in Litchfield is the only active Drive-In on Route 66 through Illinois.
A couple of things. One, Sappington is not a city. The theater is in unincorporated St Louis County in an area that is known as Sappington. But the postal city address is considered St Louis. Two, the Ronnie’s 8 and the Ronnie’s 20 are two different buildings. The Ronnie’s 8 was built on the property while the Ronnie’s Drive-In was still operating. Later after the Drive-In property was redeveloped, the Ronnie’s 20 was built to the north of the Ronnie’s 8 and then the Ronnie’s 8 was demolished for more parking.
This one is a vacant lot now.