Oakley Drive-In

The Oakley Drive-In is listed as the last open drive-in in Cincinnati. It opened in 1952 and has a capacity for 900-1000 cars depending on which listing that you want to believe. The address for this drive-in is:
5033 Madison Rd
Cincinnati, OH 45227

The Oakley Drive-In is closing! I went on a tour of it and it was amazing. Sad sad sad. The outlets for the long-gone car speakers were still there, but covered with something like wax. There were old bottle caps all smashed and rusted into the ground so hard you couldn't pull them out with your bare hands. The asphalt was really bad too. One area was even closed off with caution tape because it was in such bad shape. They sold it to someone else, who plans to make it into a mall. Stupid strip malls! That is ALL WE NEED in Cincinnati right now. But it's too late. In a while, it will be no more. Poor poor Oakley. We'll miss you!
(P.S: Sorry for the long post. :) )

The problem with the Oakley was that you needed to wear Kevlar and a side arm just to feel safe enough to watch a movie. I am not in love with the "HoliGay" Drive-In in Hamilton either, just too anal (pardon the pun). Bad food too, not to mention the cameras in the bathrooms! R.I.P.: Jolly Roger, Acme, Woodlawn, Twin, Dent, Ferguson Hills, Dixie, (I know I am forgetting others) and the first drive-in I ever went to- Forest Hills.

Yep, closed now. I did get a tour of it with my dad one Saturday! They had those really old cameras, like the big blue ones where you put reels of film on the top and bottom. I did get pictures of the marquee, which was great but dull.

This is a 2006 photo of the Oakley Drive-In. Text with photo claims that this drive-in was torn down.

For those of you still wanting to enjoy the drive in experience & not happy with the Holiday drive in, there is still the Starlite drive-in on Rt. 125 in Bethel, OH (east of Amelia). (513) 734-4001

The Oakley was still standing as of June 2007. Construction on some building had begun on the lot but one screen, the ticket booths, and some speaker poles were still standing. You can see pictures of it in its current state here...


http://ronnysalernophotography.klockster.com/gallery/thumbnails.php?album=32

Here is a 2002 view of the marquee. XXX refers to the Vin Diesel film, not an adult movie.
http://tinyurl.com/yt79ev

Here is a December 2005 article about the redevelopment of the property. Status should be closed, if not closed/demolshed:
http://tinyurl.com/275nca

My father lived on nearby Oaklawn Drive at one time and he says when it opened the gave or installed speaker to residents who could see the screen from their backyards...anyone know if this is true?