As much as we liked the old box office it was only in held in place by a faith. A good wind would have taken it away. Many times last summer we scooted it back in place. We tried to salvage it but water damage was too extensive. So, we built a new one with a little more space and functionality. We wanted it to resemble the original one. Stay warm out there. We will see you all again soon.
“I remember coming here as a kid,” said Cole, a local businessman who owns SuperGen Products in Newark and is the promoter of Land of Legends Raceway at the Ontario County Fairgrounds in Hopewell. “They used to have a playground in the back (toward Route 31). We were here the night my mother broke water with my brother. That was 1975.”
In 1981, the drive-in featured its last picture show.
Cole blames the drive-in’s demise on the VHS tape, which resulted in an explosion of home viewing. Theaters of the outdoor and indoor variety were affected by the change in movie-viewing habits, he said.
In its day, though, Rose City could pack them in.
“They designed it for 750 cars,” he said.
Cole thinks he could pull in 500-600 cars during the first few nights he reopens Rose City.
“It’ll taper off,” he said. “Three-hundred cars is a lot of people.”
Cole purchased the property from the Colacino family of Gene and Kenna. Gene died in 2003, but the property remained in the family until Cole was able to strike a deal after expressing interest years ago. He closed on the property in March.
“It’s just been sitting here,” he said, adding that several others have made overtures on the land. “I’ve been a friend of the family. Gene did a lot for this community.”
The work to restore the drive-in — it opened July 19, 1956, with James Stewart in “The Man from Laramie” and Jane Russell in “Hot Blood” — has begun. The large lot setback from Route 31 has been cleared of the many trees that sprung up since its closing more than four decades ago, especially near the 100-by-45-foot movie screen.
Australia’s largest drive-in cinema site will shut down in mid-2023.
Melbourne’s Lunar Drive-In, located in Dandenong, was purchased by the Pellicano Group in December, following its sale in response to surging land taxes in the suburb.
The site is expected to receive an industrial fit-out in the future, with proximity to other business parks in Melbourne’s south-east.
TomMc11 you are close but the drive-in (twin) was north to Sundowner Drive to Elmer’s Industrial Dr. which cuts across the parking ramps. There are three or addresses you could use for the location. Take your pick!! See aerial 1985
GPS is best way to locate drive-ins. Addresses change over the years…
The Washington Shores Drive-In was opened by Byron L. Kimball and Donald A. Harris. It was opened as a colored drive-In theatre with 200 car capacity. In looking at early IMPA’s, Floyd Stowe and Harold DeGraw are listed as owners or bookers for the drive-in. In 1960, Jack & N. Robinson are listed as owners or bookers for the drive-in. On October 11, 1950, the drive-in closed with no reason given. Then on December 22, 1950 it reopened again. In August of 1953, George J. Yarbrough (19) was listed as ½ owner of the drive-in. He designed a way to synchronize two projectors for 3-D movies. He started United Film Productions in the early 1960’s. I don’t know where B.H. Evans was in the ownership chain per Samuel Augustus Jennings? Maybe he was partner in the drive-in? In February of 1955, Harold DeGraw from Cambridge, Maryland bought the drive-in from Donald A. Harris. DeGraw rebuilt the drive-in with a new snack bar, restrooms, and upgraded the sound and projection equipment. He also planned to install a Cinema-Scope screen. In August of 1958, Leon Peters from Cambridge, Maryland was named the manager of the drive-in.
William W. Arnold, attorney for De Gray Theatre Corporation, wanted get the property rezoned for construction of a 72 unit apartment building, but it was tabled for further study in December of 1960. In March of 1961, the property was put for sale and it was noted it would be an ideal site for a bowling alley. The last movie to be screened at the Washington Shores Drive-In was on April 28, 1961. In June of 1961, the property was put up for sale again this time, listed as a drive-in theatre. H.C. Babcock, realtor, was asking $33,000 which included equipment and property. It did get sold to an unknown person. On June 27th, 1961 the DeGraw Theatre Corporation was dissolved and no more. On January 2, 1962, three children had broken in to the concession stand and projection room and started a fire which gutted the building. While looking at a current Goggle Map where the drive-in was located, you can see that it is still undeveloped yet. It does have houses and business built on outside of the property.
I had the Lincoln opening on February 19, 1953 with grand opening ad. I guess I missed the January 21,1953.Grand opening ad. Thanks to dallasmovietheaters
The Transit Drive-In has been a safe and popular destination for family entertainment during Covid-19, but the uncertainty and sudden loss of life the pandemic has brought led third-generation owner Rick Cohen to a major life decision.
After 65 years of Cohen family ownership, and 35 years in which he worked as manager and later sole owner, Cohen has reached an agreement to sell the Lockport drive-in to Dipson Theatres, which plans to continue operating it as a drive-in.
Dipson began running the theater in March under a management agreement, with Cohen assisting the staff during the transition. The sale is expected to close in late spring or early summer. Cohen would not disclose the terms of the sale.
“I’ve had friends my age drop dead of a heart attack,” Cohen said. “They worked and worked and worked, and one day they were gone. After the last two years of Covid, I decided I don’t want to work until I’m no longer able to work, and I want to be able to enjoy some quality retirement time.”
New Screen Tower going up!!
Harrisburg address is wrong.
From FB
As much as we liked the old box office it was only in held in place by a faith. A good wind would have taken it away. Many times last summer we scooted it back in place. We tried to salvage it but water damage was too extensive. So, we built a new one with a little more space and functionality. We wanted it to resemble the original one. Stay warm out there. We will see you all again soon.
My dad Bob Harmon snapped these pics of the drive-in movie theater south of BG when they were tearing it down September 1987.
Cody Harmon
My dad Bob Harmon snapped these pics of the drive-in movie theater south of BG when they were tearing it down September 1987.
Cody Harmon
My dad Bob Harmon snapped these pics of the drive-in movie theater south of BG when they were tearing it down September 1987.
Cody Harmon
It is now 254 By-pass 72 NW, Greenwood, SC 29649. U-Haul storage.
GPS: 34.212836, -82.178347
“I remember coming here as a kid,” said Cole, a local businessman who owns SuperGen Products in Newark and is the promoter of Land of Legends Raceway at the Ontario County Fairgrounds in Hopewell. “They used to have a playground in the back (toward Route 31). We were here the night my mother broke water with my brother. That was 1975.”
In 1981, the drive-in featured its last picture show.
Cole blames the drive-in’s demise on the VHS tape, which resulted in an explosion of home viewing. Theaters of the outdoor and indoor variety were affected by the change in movie-viewing habits, he said.
In its day, though, Rose City could pack them in.
“They designed it for 750 cars,” he said.
Cole thinks he could pull in 500-600 cars during the first few nights he reopens Rose City.
“It’ll taper off,” he said. “Three-hundred cars is a lot of people.”
Cole purchased the property from the Colacino family of Gene and Kenna. Gene died in 2003, but the property remained in the family until Cole was able to strike a deal after expressing interest years ago. He closed on the property in March.
“It’s just been sitting here,” he said, adding that several others have made overtures on the land. “I’ve been a friend of the family. Gene did a lot for this community.”
The work to restore the drive-in — it opened July 19, 1956, with James Stewart in “The Man from Laramie” and Jane Russell in “Hot Blood” — has begun. The large lot setback from Route 31 has been cleared of the many trees that sprung up since its closing more than four decades ago, especially near the 100-by-45-foot movie screen.
New Address is 113 Whites Ln Florence, AL 35630
Also the GPS is: 34.826722,-87.623982 The best way to locate a drive-in.
The address is 5402 McCleland Hwy, Branchland,WV 25506
Nope…Floyd Theatres are long gone. Ted Freiwald bought the drive-in when Floyd Theatres got sold. Ted and is wife operate it now.
Australia’s largest drive-in cinema site will shut down in mid-2023.
Melbourne’s Lunar Drive-In, located in Dandenong, was purchased by the Pellicano Group in December, following its sale in response to surging land taxes in the suburb.
The site is expected to receive an industrial fit-out in the future, with proximity to other business parks in Melbourne’s south-east.
Photos courtesy of Becky’s Drive-In FB page.
The address is W. Presque Isle Rd & Maine 164, Caribou, ME 04736
GPS: 46.832585, -68.009134
TomMc11 you are close but the drive-in (twin) was north to Sundowner Drive to Elmer’s Industrial Dr. which cuts across the parking ramps. There are three or addresses you could use for the location. Take your pick!! See aerial 1985
GPS is best way to locate drive-ins. Addresses change over the years…
GPS Coordinate’s :44.692263, -85.654010
It has reported that Sundance AKA Parkside has been saved and will reopen in 2023..
Additional Information..
The Washington Shores Drive-In was opened by Byron L. Kimball and Donald A. Harris. It was opened as a colored drive-In theatre with 200 car capacity. In looking at early IMPA’s, Floyd Stowe and Harold DeGraw are listed as owners or bookers for the drive-in. In 1960, Jack & N. Robinson are listed as owners or bookers for the drive-in. On October 11, 1950, the drive-in closed with no reason given. Then on December 22, 1950 it reopened again. In August of 1953, George J. Yarbrough (19) was listed as ½ owner of the drive-in. He designed a way to synchronize two projectors for 3-D movies. He started United Film Productions in the early 1960’s. I don’t know where B.H. Evans was in the ownership chain per Samuel Augustus Jennings? Maybe he was partner in the drive-in? In February of 1955, Harold DeGraw from Cambridge, Maryland bought the drive-in from Donald A. Harris. DeGraw rebuilt the drive-in with a new snack bar, restrooms, and upgraded the sound and projection equipment. He also planned to install a Cinema-Scope screen. In August of 1958, Leon Peters from Cambridge, Maryland was named the manager of the drive-in.
William W. Arnold, attorney for De Gray Theatre Corporation, wanted get the property rezoned for construction of a 72 unit apartment building, but it was tabled for further study in December of 1960. In March of 1961, the property was put for sale and it was noted it would be an ideal site for a bowling alley. The last movie to be screened at the Washington Shores Drive-In was on April 28, 1961. In June of 1961, the property was put up for sale again this time, listed as a drive-in theatre. H.C. Babcock, realtor, was asking $33,000 which included equipment and property. It did get sold to an unknown person. On June 27th, 1961 the DeGraw Theatre Corporation was dissolved and no more. On January 2, 1962, three children had broken in to the concession stand and projection room and started a fire which gutted the building. While looking at a current Goggle Map where the drive-in was located, you can see that it is still undeveloped yet. It does have houses and business built on outside of the property.
I had the Lincoln opening on February 19, 1953 with grand opening ad. I guess I missed the January 21,1953.Grand opening ad. Thanks to dallasmovietheaters
The address is: 41 Fisher Rd Moorefield, WV 26836
It is a 84 Lumber yard now.
The other address does not work..
The GPS is: 39.046139, -78.981250
GPS: 39.796963, -84.246184
Have any early pictures of it Coleen?
The GPS coordinates: 34.405987,-103.238758
Address is:2524 W 7th St, Clovis, NM 88101.
The screen tower is gone. I’m thinking the concession stand will be next.
Screen Tower is gone..
Buffalo News 4-22-2022
The Transit Drive-In has been a safe and popular destination for family entertainment during Covid-19, but the uncertainty and sudden loss of life the pandemic has brought led third-generation owner Rick Cohen to a major life decision.
After 65 years of Cohen family ownership, and 35 years in which he worked as manager and later sole owner, Cohen has reached an agreement to sell the Lockport drive-in to Dipson Theatres, which plans to continue operating it as a drive-in.
Dipson began running the theater in March under a management agreement, with Cohen assisting the staff during the transition. The sale is expected to close in late spring or early summer. Cohen would not disclose the terms of the sale.
“I’ve had friends my age drop dead of a heart attack,” Cohen said. “They worked and worked and worked, and one day they were gone. After the last two years of Covid, I decided I don’t want to work until I’m no longer able to work, and I want to be able to enjoy some quality retirement time.”