Skyview Drive-In
5700 N. Belt West,
Belleville,
IL
62226
5700 N. Belt West,
Belleville,
IL
62226
8 people
favorited this theater
The Skyview opened in 1949, with the film “On Our Merry Way”, and could accomodate about 700 cars. It was (and still is) part of the Bloomer family chain of theaters (BAC Theatres). It was only one of two drive-ins that the family actually built, along with the Cahokia in Alorton.
The 60-foot screen was destroyed in a 1955 storm and replaced by a 115-foot one, which was supposedly the largest in the Midwest at that time.
In addition to movies, the Skyview offered a kiddie playground with pony rides, miniature train rides and a small Ferris wheel. Another storm in 1981 damaged the 115 screen, and it was replaced by a somewhat smaller one. A second screen was built not long afterward, making the drive-in a twin. The Skyview installed a radio sound system in 1995.
The theater’s season runs from April-November, and it is now the only remaining drive-in still in operation in the St. Louis region.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 23 comments)
A third screen has been approved, to be built on adjacent property currently occupied by the defunct Quad Cinema: View link
The City of Belleville is contributing half the cost of demolishing the Quad Cinema; the Skyview now has to remain open for at least ten years, or the Skyview owner will have to reimburse the city for these half costs. There is an article with video here: View link
May 2009 photo of the Skyview marquee courtesy Julia.
View link
If you include the land from the Quad, there’s room enough to fit 4 screens in there! Can’t wait to see the finished product next time I’m in St. Louis.
More Skyview Photos.
View link
View link
Anyone know if Screen 3 has been built or when it’ll be opened?
In answer to the above question, not this year, due to delays in the demolition of the Quad:
View link
Dang…2 years, huh? Bummer. Wonder if Belleville is waiting on the DL to buy Bloomer out…which would mean THE END of the St. Louis area drive-in movie experience.
Don’t forget the Starlite Drive In in Cadet MO, which reopened last year after being closed for a couple of years. They haven’t yet reopened for the season, but hopefully will soon.
The Skyview has now been converted to digital projection on both screens. Still no news on when they’re building that 3rd screen, though.