Forest Hills Drive-In

Forest Hills Drive-In was located on Wrightsboro Road and Jackson Road in Augusta. It was built and owned by D.D. Boardman. It was designed by Boardman-Sargent, who were partners in the business. It would later become a Georgia Theatre.

It held 600 cars in a nice size lot. The concession stand and booth were painted blue, and poster displays filled the concession area. On April 27, 1963 it ran "Red Hot Wheels" with Clark Gable, and "The Racers". After the 1st feature there was a Four-Tenth Mile 30 Minute Go Kart Endurance Test by popular Augusta Go Kart Racers on the loose treacherous track. They said no one would be admitted between 9:00 – 9:30 PM during the race.

I saw "Gone With The Wind" there but can’t remember any other films. A shopping center was built on a hill above the theatre which was the location of the old Bon-Aire Drive-In. When my mom shopped I would walk over and catch the movie. A projectionist once caught me climbing down the hill and chased me off the lot. I also saw "Midnight Cowboy" one night. My mom had no idea I was watching a then X-rated movie!

Forest Hills Drive-In closed in the summer of 1970 with the movie "M.A.S.H.". The ads read, "last time to see "M.A.S.H." at Forest Hills!" Heck, it was the last time to see anything else there!

By the time "M.A.S.H." closed the drive-in, commercial buildings were creeping into the once rural area. I think the drive-in was a money maker to the end but real estate won out.

William Allen was one of the projectionists. Electrician Ed Newsome helped disconnect the marquee and large sign on the back of the screen. Beautiful neon lighting just tossed away.

There was no write-up in the local paper when this drive-in closed. No pictures exist that I know of. Sure wish I’d snapped a few but when you’re 13 years old you don’t really think past the next day.

I have a March 7, 1953 Augusta Chronicle movie page, and Forest Hills Drive-In isn’t listed so I assume it opened in the mid-to-late-1950’s.

Recent comments (view all 45 comments)

Mike Rogers on March 16, 2011 at 4:57 pm

Yeah,we have of bunch of them just like you,Tis.

jeterga on March 26, 2011 at 8:09 am

Here some photos

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NYozoner on March 26, 2011 at 12:26 pm

@Alonzo: Thanks for posting those pics! What a great piece of drive-in history! Love the shot of the neon lit up on the back of the screen tower, from the days when the back of screens were a work of art!

Mike Rogers on March 30, 2011 at 1:45 pm

And Right above it on a hill was the Bon Air Drive-in Theatre.Screen facing other direction.Thanks Alonzo,spent a lot of time there,wish i would thought to take pictures.

Mike Rogers on May 2, 2011 at 4:20 pm

“THE TRAIN” plays here.A great Lancaster Film along with “WORLD OF Henry Orient”. Strange double feature again.

TLSLOEWS on May 7, 2011 at 7:56 am

Nice photos posted by Alonzo,what a great screen tower.

Mike Rogers on May 7, 2011 at 9:44 am

THe SKYVIEW DRIVE-in had one time one the largest Screens east of the Miss.According to a projectionist.It was six miles away in Downtown AUgusta.Forest Hills and Skyview both Georgia Theatres.I have a picture of the Skyview screen,need to get Nick to put it on.

Mike Rogers on June 2, 2011 at 7:43 pm

Love the Forest hills picture,thanks Ct.

Mike Rogers on June 13, 2011 at 1:59 pm

Movies that played Forest Hills.

June 1 1968 “IN THE HEAT OF THE NIGHT” and “MATCHLESS”

June 14 1968 “DEAD HEAT ON A MERRY GO ROUND'

Big Summer Five Hits “WILD ANGELS” “ANGELS FROM HELL”,“ MINI-SKIRT MOB”,“GLORY STOMPERS”,and “DEVIL’s ANGELS”.

July 4 1969 “SUPPORT YOU LOCAL GUNFIGHTER” and “SGT'O'FELLEL”.

JULY 26 1968 “BONNIE AND CLYDE” and “ST.Vallentine’s Day Massacre”

Mike Rogers on June 13, 2011 at 2:21 pm

More on Movies here, The above CYCLE Movies played June 13 1969 .

August 15 1969

“GUNS OF THE MAGNIFICENT 7” and “BUONA SERA”.