Starlight Drive-In
78259 E. Main Street,
Albert Lea,
MN
56007
78259 E. Main Street,
Albert Lea,
MN
56007
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A few parch marks of the ramps remain just to the west of the Ernie’s Canvas Products building. Otherwise, you’d never know a drive-in was once on the property.
Once operated by Carisch Theatres.
opened July 7th, 1949. Ad posted.
“After what they called "a horrible season,” Friedman brothers of Minneapolis have closed their drive-in at Albert Lea, Minn. They termed the operation “the worst project they’ve ever been connected with.” The investment was called a “total loss,” after trying just about every kind of promotional stunt.“ — Showmen’s Trade Review, Oct. 1, 1949
The Starlight Drive-In was the work of the Minneapolis architectural firm of Liebenberg and Kaplan. The blueprints are in the collection of Liebenberg and Kaplan papers in the Andersen Library at the University of Minnesota, Minneapolis. The theater is listed in the papers as the Albert Lea Outdoor Theatre, but it appears to have opened as the Starlight Drive-In Theatre.
If seen it spelled both ways, that is what is confusing. Here is a page that has some pictures:
View link
I think it is supposed to be “starlight”.