Union Drive-In
Route 22,
Union,
NJ
07087
Route 22,
Union,
NJ
07087
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Built in 1936, this drive-in had a capacity of 1,400 cars. It was the first drive-in located in north New Jersey. It closed in 1983 and is most likely retail space as this is a heavily developed highway.
Contributed by
tc
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Recent comments (view all 13 comments)
Yes, this is the one. In 1953 Route 29 was renumbered to Route 22.
Thanks TC. I wasn’t sure if it was the same drive-in because the 1936 listing didn’t give Route 22 as the location. They only renumber those Routes to confuse people like me. :)
I use to go here has a kid with my mom and friends. My mom was friends with the owners son and we use to get in carloads for free and sit out under the stars. Loved this place, don’t remember much about the actual grounds, buildings or ammeneties. Just the experience. Loved it, This was one of the last left in New Jersey back in the 80’s I was about 14 – 15 when it closed, what a shame.
Now my husband and I have to go all the way to Warwick NY to the Drive-In. I enjoy it and we usually make a weekend of it or at least stay over night somewhere and go to the towns nearby like Sugarloaf artist village.
They just re-opened the Chelsea Drive-In in Vineland NJ. We went there a few weeks ago as we were in the Atlantic City, NJ area for a few days. This one was also good, has a concession stand – was completely packed all through the entire first movie – Saw War of the Worlds. This night we went they were showing 3 movies…
Great deal of only $6 and you can’t beat the experience.
this must’ve been where i sat petrified through ‘the legend of hell house’ while a friend slept.
I remember going to the Union Drive-In as a very little kid, in my
PJs, with a blanket and my pillow—if I nodded off, no problem, just
curl up in the back seat and off to La La Land. I do recall seeing
Vertigo and A Hole In The Head—that song “High Hopes” really stuck in my juvenile head.
And for some reason, I remember the coming attraction for a really
cheapo horror film called “Terror Is A Man”. I was probably about
four years old and that stupid trailer really scared the crap out of me. And let’s face it, when you’re four, the last thing you need is crap coming out anywhere. For any reason.
I remember the Union Drive-In fondly! Another place I went to alot as a kid and a teenager. I also remember accidentally hitting my car horn with my elbow while getting out of the car to go to the concession..and the horn stuck, (it figures).
It’s sad that alot of the drive-ins are gone now, especially this one. :–)
1946 Program:
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Here is a 1979 aerial view:
http://tinyurl.com/y9cmacs
The drive-in was not replaced by retail but by houses. You can see the housing development here, above the park on the left side of the frame.
http://tinyurl.com/y9gvlb5
I miss the Union Drive-In. Anyone know the name of the woman who used to do the telephone recording? She had a really gravelly voice (probably from too many years of smoking) which went something like “This is a recorded message from the Union Drive-In Theater located on Route 22 Eastbound Lane in Union. The box office opens at 6pm our features are… (Name of movies then announced), Admission is $3 for adults, children under 10 are free thank you for calling.”