The Cross Keys Drive-In Opened on June 16, 1950 with a performance by the New Oxford High School Band and the film “Streets of Laredo”, starring William Holden, William Bendix and Mona Freeman. Originally owned and operated Midway Drive-In Theater Corp. and managed by the corporation’s president, Richard L. McCool. Located on U.S. 30, 1 mile east of New Oxford and ½ mile west of Carlisle Pike (PA 94). Closed after the 1986 season. The former drive-in site is now occupied by houses (Oak Dr. and Chinkapin Dr.)
Opened on June 29, 1950 with the film “Boy From Indiana”, starring Lon McCallister and Lois Butler. Located about a mile west of Waynesburg on Roy Furman Highway (PA 18 South/PA 21 West — formerly Rogersville Rd.)
Opened on April 19, 1951 with the film “Jackpot”, starring Jimmy Stewart and Barbara Hale. Located on PA 837, ½ mile from its southern terminus at PA 88. Closed at the end of the 1985 season. The site remained dormant until 1997 when the Residence At Hilltop assisted living facility was built there.
Opened on August 29, 1948 with the film “Blondie’s Big Moment”, starring Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. In 1986, Free Indeed Ministries bought the Family Drive-In which was relegated to Christian and G-rated movies. FIM was still running movies at the Family by August 1993. I have not yet been able to confirm when it actually closed.
Historic Aerials shows the location of the Blue Sky on PA 288 from the 1969 satellite map, about 5 miles east of Ellwood City and 10 miles west of Zelienople. The drive-in site is now occupied by at least two houses (on Field St.) and Sturges Orchard Farm Market.
The listing above shows a rare occurence with TWO drive-ins in the Pittsburgh Metro Area (28 miles apart) having their grand openings on the same night: Harmar and Lakevue (later renamed Mt. Lebanon).
This was my original entry that I had placed several days ago. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be posted or not; I thought maybe it was too descriptive. My apologies for the second entry of the same place.
The Rose Drive-In site now consists of housing on two streets, Pamela Drive and Rose Avenue. From PA 130 East, 8/10 of a mile past the PA Turnpike overpass, the right turn onto Pamela was originally the turnoff road to the drive-in.
To expand on general information, the Belle Aire opened on July 2, 1957 and lasted only two seasons. The last known listing from the Pittsburgh papers was from November 23, 1958.
I think I’ve finally found confirmation of the Belle Aire. From the Historic Aerials website, key in MAGNUS LANE IRWIN PA, bring up the 1957 aerial photo, and select “All Roads” from the overlay menu. The Blue Dell Pool is right across from Edwin Drive on Route 30; if you look to the right of the pool you can see what is undoubtedly the Belle Aire Drive-In. The current satellite photo shows the Elizabeth-Hata International building on the former drive-in site with the open field that used to be the Blue Dell Pool in front of the main parking lot.
Opening night feature on October 31, 1940: “No Time For Comedy”, starring James Stewart and Rosalind Russell. Final day features on July 1, 1999: “Analyze This”, “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Doug’s 1st Movie”
These dates are unconfirmed as there is no indication of a grand opening, but the first ad I found for this Cameraphone (as well as two others in Pittsburgh) was from March 2, 1913. This one, the best known of the three, opened on March 6 with the silent short “Pickwick Papers' starring John Bunny. The last ad I came across was from January 31, 1967, by which time the Cameraphone was an adult cinema (I’ll be looking for the transformation date soon). The features that day were "Everybody Loves It” and “Tales of a Salesman”.
The Sheridan Square opened as a vaudeville theater on October 20, 1913. The opening day acts included J.K. Emmett (Illustrious son of the famous “Fritz” Emmett) & Company, Doria Opera Trio, Les Montforts (comedy bar gymnasts), Musical Fredericks, and others.
I was just driving along West Liberty Ave. yesterday and the sad sight of the demolished South Hills Theater just caught my eye. I stopped and took photos.
R.I.P. South Hills Theater. Thanks for many great memories.
I drove past the Tri-State for the first time in a while yesterday. The TRI-STATE DRIVE-IN/Coca-Cola sign is gone, and the stone pillar that said TRI-STATE as well as the ticket booth have been torn down. The deteriorating screen is still up but is now missing one of the metal slabs.
The Hi-Way 51 opened on May 1, 1948. Located on Darlington Rd. north of the Beaver County Airport. Last known night of operation as Hi-Way 51 (per newspaper listings) was August 28, 1967. Sometime thereafter, Monessen Amusements bought the drive-in, did a complete renovation, and renamed it Super 51 which opened June 26, 1969 (See that title in the listing for description)
That isn’t the Cross Keys Drive-In in the Google Maps photo; that’s the Roosevelt Drive-In in Langhorne.
The Cross Keys Drive-In Opened on June 16, 1950 with a performance by the New Oxford High School Band and the film “Streets of Laredo”, starring William Holden, William Bendix and Mona Freeman. Originally owned and operated Midway Drive-In Theater Corp. and managed by the corporation’s president, Richard L. McCool. Located on U.S. 30, 1 mile east of New Oxford and ½ mile west of Carlisle Pike (PA 94). Closed after the 1986 season. The former drive-in site is now occupied by houses (Oak Dr. and Chinkapin Dr.)
Cool photo :)
Opened on June 29, 1950 with the film “Boy From Indiana”, starring Lon McCallister and Lois Butler. Located about a mile west of Waynesburg on Roy Furman Highway (PA 18 South/PA 21 West — formerly Rogersville Rd.)
Opened on April 19, 1951 with the film “Jackpot”, starring Jimmy Stewart and Barbara Hale. Located on PA 837, ½ mile from its southern terminus at PA 88. Closed at the end of the 1985 season. The site remained dormant until 1997 when the Residence At Hilltop assisted living facility was built there.
Opened as York Run Open Air Theater on July 7, 1948 with the western film “Black Gold”, starring Anthony Quinn. Renamed Moonlite by 1950.
Opened on August 29, 1948 with the film “Blondie’s Big Moment”, starring Penny Singleton and Arthur Lake. In 1986, Free Indeed Ministries bought the Family Drive-In which was relegated to Christian and G-rated movies. FIM was still running movies at the Family by August 1993. I have not yet been able to confirm when it actually closed.
Historic Aerials shows the location of the Blue Sky on PA 288 from the 1969 satellite map, about 5 miles east of Ellwood City and 10 miles west of Zelienople. The drive-in site is now occupied by at least two houses (on Field St.) and Sturges Orchard Farm Market.
The listing above shows a rare occurence with TWO drive-ins in the Pittsburgh Metro Area (28 miles apart) having their grand openings on the same night: Harmar and Lakevue (later renamed Mt. Lebanon).
This was my original entry that I had placed several days ago. I wasn’t sure if it was going to be posted or not; I thought maybe it was too descriptive. My apologies for the second entry of the same place.
The Rose Drive-In site now consists of housing on two streets, Pamela Drive and Rose Avenue. From PA 130 East, 8/10 of a mile past the PA Turnpike overpass, the right turn onto Pamela was originally the turnoff road to the drive-in.
You gots it, hispeed54
To expand on general information, the Belle Aire opened on July 2, 1957 and lasted only two seasons. The last known listing from the Pittsburgh papers was from November 23, 1958.
I think I’ve finally found confirmation of the Belle Aire. From the Historic Aerials website, key in MAGNUS LANE IRWIN PA, bring up the 1957 aerial photo, and select “All Roads” from the overlay menu. The Blue Dell Pool is right across from Edwin Drive on Route 30; if you look to the right of the pool you can see what is undoubtedly the Belle Aire Drive-In. The current satellite photo shows the Elizabeth-Hata International building on the former drive-in site with the open field that used to be the Blue Dell Pool in front of the main parking lot.
I drive past the Showcase West every day going to and from work. As of this morning, the building is, sad to say, half gone.
I drove past the Parkway earlier this week and saw FOR SALE signs on the marquee. Could we see a possible comeback here?
There’s a great photo of the Rustic marquee in the book from the Images Of America series: “Norvelt: A New Deal Subsistence Homestead”.
This one was near the intersection of Mt. Pleasant Road (SR 2021) and Brinkerton Road.
Opening night feature on October 31, 1940: “No Time For Comedy”, starring James Stewart and Rosalind Russell. Final day features on July 1, 1999: “Analyze This”, “10 Things I Hate About You” and “Doug’s 1st Movie”
These dates are unconfirmed as there is no indication of a grand opening, but the first ad I found for this Cameraphone (as well as two others in Pittsburgh) was from March 2, 1913. This one, the best known of the three, opened on March 6 with the silent short “Pickwick Papers' starring John Bunny. The last ad I came across was from January 31, 1967, by which time the Cameraphone was an adult cinema (I’ll be looking for the transformation date soon). The features that day were "Everybody Loves It” and “Tales of a Salesman”.
The Sheridan Square opened as a vaudeville theater on October 20, 1913. The opening day acts included J.K. Emmett (Illustrious son of the famous “Fritz” Emmett) & Company, Doria Opera Trio, Les Montforts (comedy bar gymnasts), Musical Fredericks, and others.
I found the grand opening ads from the Carnegie library. The Denis opened on June 1, 1938 and its Encore counterpart opened July 15, 1965.
You are absolutely right on all counts, norelco. It’s just as painful as seeing a beautiful drive-in theater being demolished for a (yuck!) Wal-Mart.
I was just driving along West Liberty Ave. yesterday and the sad sight of the demolished South Hills Theater just caught my eye. I stopped and took photos.
R.I.P. South Hills Theater. Thanks for many great memories.
I drove past the Tri-State for the first time in a while yesterday. The TRI-STATE DRIVE-IN/Coca-Cola sign is gone, and the stone pillar that said TRI-STATE as well as the ticket booth have been torn down. The deteriorating screen is still up but is now missing one of the metal slabs.
The Hi-Way 51 opened on May 1, 1948. Located on Darlington Rd. north of the Beaver County Airport. Last known night of operation as Hi-Way 51 (per newspaper listings) was August 28, 1967. Sometime thereafter, Monessen Amusements bought the drive-in, did a complete renovation, and renamed it Super 51 which opened June 26, 1969 (See that title in the listing for description)