Airway Drive-In
22999 US Highway 136,
Memphis,
MO
63555
22999 US Highway 136,
Memphis,
MO
63555
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The 300-car Airway Drive-In opened its gates on May 22, 1953 with a one-day showing of Ronald Reagan in “Tropic Zone” along with an unnamed cartoon and an unnamed comedy, featuring an original wooden/steel 48x72ft tower. It was first operated by C.W. Locke who also operated the Time Theatre.
Sounds like the Airway widened its screen a lot later than most drive-ins.
Boxoffice, July 1, 1963: “At (Dick) Davis' other airer, the Airways (sic?) in Memphis, Mo., workmen have been busy widening the screen and generally redecorating.”
Kenmore’s description pointed me to the site, about three miles east of Memphis. These days, Google likes the address of 22999 US Hwy 136, Memphis, MO.
For a distance Highway 15 and 136 are one in the same.
I found a drive-in on HWY 136 about ½ mile east of Salem Road on the south side. It appears to fit the description of this drive-in.
Today, it is private property and other than the outline there is no trace of the drive-in remaining. http://tinyurl.com/q8quymx
The Airway Drive-In opened in 1954 and was still listed as open in the late-1970’s. The drive-in was located on Highway 15.