Hillsboro Drive-In
3306 West Hillsborough Avenue,
Tampa,
FL
33614
3306 West Hillsborough Avenue,
Tampa,
FL
33614
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 1 - 25 of 38 comments found
falcon3147, Great hearing from a former employee. I had applied for a job at both the drive-in and the new indoor in 1969 but they never called me. The drive-in and the rocking chair theatre were Tampa’s best showplaces at the time. I wish they were both still here. Yes, the indoor theatre had its grand opening with “The Undefeated.” A beautiful theatre that lasted about 9 years before it was ruined by twinning.
hispeed54, Appreciate the nice comment…thanks!
Good overview Nick!!
I worked at the Hillsborough drive in theatre for many years it was very nice. also the first movie shown in the hillsborough walk in theatre was the undefeated john wayne and rock hudson.
Thanks Nick.I guess aerials are all we have on so many theatres.
Here’s a current aerial of the property as it looks today. The building at the top center is the former Hillsboro Eight Cinemas (now Century Buick Dealership.)
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Nick, I emailed you some after views of the drive-in’s, maybe you can post along with the old views
Wonderful pictures! I note that Himes Ave. (to left of drive-in) wasn’t yet extended north of Hillsborough Ave.
Here are two slightly different aerials dated 1957:
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Thanks nick.
Dick: Thanks for the nice trip down memory lane! By the time I began going to the Hillsboro on my own, most of the forested and swamp land had disappeared. I would usually drive north on Himes Avenue which was also a two-lane country-like road at the time (from Columbus Drive all the way to Hillsborough Avenue.) After passing Jeusit High School I’d began seeing short glimpses of the screen in the wooded area on the right as I was approaching Hillsborough Avenue. Yes, it was very exciting! When I travel down Himes today and look towards that area all I see are apartment buildings where the drive-in once was. Thank goodness we have our memories!
When the Hillsboro Drive-In was opened, Dale Mabry Highway (single-lane each way) went no further north than Hillsborough Avenue. The landscape between Buffalo Ave. (now ML King Blvd.) and Hillsborough Ave. was a combination of forested areas and open swamp-like areas with ponds surrounded by rings of cypress trees.
When our family drove north on Dale Mabry to the drive-in, there was one place (about half-way between Buffalo and Hillsborough) where you could look across the swamp and see the distant lighted screen of the theatre. (Closer to Hillsborough Ave., the forest obscured the view.) When we saw that screen from Dale Mabry, we were excited because we knew the theatre was waiting for us!
Finally! I thought I’d never find this photo. Here’s a very nice large shot of the lot taken shortly after opening in 1941. Note the in-ground speakers:
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Ad for dusk-to-dawn show Saturday July 9, 1966.
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Yeah, i need to get NIck to make a copy of that KARLOFF marquee.
Very cool vintage photo Nick.
BORIS KAROFF on the Marquee,GREAT! Nick, have you thought about scanning all the newspaper ads you have? I notice alot of theatres have ads.sent some to Robin,but haven’t seen them yet.
Golly,Nick these are great shots!
Here’s a photo of the entrance dated August 21,1943. This screen was demolished in 1969 when the Hillsboro was renovated and a larger steel screen was erected.
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People expect so much from your stories,Nick.
Hey, my cousin asked if you put FOUR SEASONS CINEMAS on ? I guess since you have been down you have not been able to do it. Also Hendersonville Outdoor Cinemas? I know you are busy with Tampa Theatres,so i will let Ray know.
He even printed out a history on Four Seasons. I guess he is computer dumb like me. Happy New year. Hope you liked the gift.
I’m back! My computer was attacked by a nasty virus so I’ve been out of commission for awhile. I’ve been suffering from CT withdrawal and it’s great to be back!
jorgito2001: Thanks for the very nice compliment! Yep, those all-nighters were fun as heck and an amazing way to spend a Saturday night. Of course you slept until Sunday afternoon but what a way to spend an evening if you really love movies! Here’s hoping a time machine is invented in our lifetime!
MikeRogers: I see you’ve resorted to Simon & Garfunkel to let me know I was missed…LOL!
Stay tuned for the story on the 20th Century Drive-In (my second favorite!) which I hope to have posted by the weekend. I don’t think it’ll be as elaborate as the Hillsboro but we’ll see what I can come up with.
Where have you gone Nick Di maggio Heaven holds a place for those who like old theatres. Corny, Iknow.
Nick’s story above was indeed heartfelt & touching…I was born in the mid 70s & would simply LOVE to take a time machine back in time to simply experience that drive-in magic, if only for one night! An all nighter sounds like a WILD way to spend an evening! Thanks for sharing such profound memories!
Your Computer must be broke down.I can’t believe you have been off this long with all these Tampa drive-ins added.
Nick, Hope you spot your Drive in on recent comments.Haven’t seen any of your work.Everything okay?