Skyline Drive-In
3105 W. Market Street,
Johnson City,
TN
37604
3105 W. Market Street,
Johnson City,
TN
37604
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A possible candidate is at 3105 W Market Street, Johnson City, TN.
There is no “New Jonesboro Highway” listed on the topo maps that I can find, but it is on the highway (called “Andrew Johnson Highway”) that is between Johnson City and Jonesboro.
It’s also intact in a 1983 aerial and its projection booth/concession stand is on the back of the property near a couple of buildings and amid several trees.
I believe this drive-in listed at “Tennessee 91 and Dave Buck Road” is NOT the Skyline Drive-In.
The photo ads for the Skyline Drive-In lists it on “New Jonesboro Highway”. Tennessee 91 was known as “Glantzdoff Highway” according to the topo maps.
I cannot say for sure where the drive-in was located, but it’s not the one on Tennessee 91.
The Johnson City Press-Chronicle Reports That Showings Were Still Running At The Skyline Throughout The 1983 Season, Including A Mix Of Fanfare From Disney To X. The Last Attractions The Skyline Ran On October 14, 1983 Was “Xtro” And “Deadly Force”. If You Look At Page 2 Of The March 27, 1984 Johnson City-Press Chronicle, It Demonstrates The Projection Booth Fire Story.
The Aerial Picture May Have Been Taking Shortly After The Projection Booth Fire In 1984, And The Aerial Shot May Have An Errored Year.
A 1983 aerial shows the drive in jammed with trailers. There is no indicated of a screen or a projection booth. It looks like the property has been in use as a trailer sales or storage park for some time.
Assuming the aerial was taken in 83, then it appears the drive in closed at an earlier date.
The Skyline Closed For The Final Time At The End Of The 1983 Season On October 14, 1983. The Theater Did Not Reopen For The 1984 Season Due To The Projection Room Being Extensively Damaged In A Fire Alongside An Apartment Next To The Drive-In Itself On March 26, 1984.
Overhead shot of the former drive-in property has been added.
This opened on April 1st, 1955. Grand opening ad posted.
Address: Tennessee 91 & Dave Buck Rd Johnson City, TN 37601
Located at Tennessee 91 at Dave Buck Rd. Just an empty field where the drive-in stood.