Clark 54 Drive-In

19312 US Highway 54,
Rockport, IL 62370

300 cars

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Additional Info

Previous Names: Clark 54 Pike Drive-In, Summer Hill Drive-In

Nearby Theaters

Clark 54 Drive-In

Opened in 1952, the Clark 54 (named for its location along Route 54) accomodates about 300 cars. Though it went through a period of decline for years, the drive-in was acquired by new owners in 2001, who have done some major upgrading and refurbishment to this popular west-central Illinois ozoner, including a remodeled snack area, restrooms and a new picnic area. The Clark’s season runs from May-September. It never reopened for the 2014 season due to lack of digital projection.

Contributed by Bryan Krefft

Recent comments (view all 10 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on August 28, 2007 at 6:27 pm

Operated by the Armentrout Circuit in 1963.

bbrown1
bbrown1 on February 1, 2009 at 2:43 pm

This is the same drive-in as the Summer Hill Drive In, which is listed separately, as being in Pittsfield IL. It is in Summer Hill IL, not Rockport or Pittsfield.

jwmovies
jwmovies on September 20, 2012 at 10:10 pm

Just south of town on Hwy 54 in Summer Hill.

S_Yokem
S_Yokem on May 24, 2014 at 11:18 am

Closed and for sale as of spring 2014. They tried to win the contest for a digital system with no luck, probably the main reason for closing and sale.

S_Yokem
S_Yokem on September 27, 2014 at 7:59 am

Map shows this location as being roughly halfway between IL 96 at Atlas, IL and Mississippi River where highway crosses to Louisiana, MO. Clark 54 is actually NE of IL 96, much closer to Summer Hill.

Dave Lounder THE DRIVE-IN THEATRE PRESERVATION SOCIETY TheDriveInGuys.com
Dave Lounder THE DRIVE-IN THEATRE PRESERVATION SOCIETY TheDriveInGuys.com on January 23, 2019 at 3:12 am

No ramps? No poles? Odd!

Anyone know the asking price?

Thanks,

Dave Lounder
TheDriveInGuys.com

Countryarbor
Countryarbor on August 28, 2019 at 8:18 pm

Liberty 1&2 708 N Milwaukee Ave, Libertyville, IL 60048

Then Clark 54 Drive-In 19312 US Highway 54, Rockport, IL 62370

Will my friends, Country Arbor Independent Cinema Theater’s will be taking over the business and serve a new menu. I’ll be working on the Grants this week.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on January 17, 2020 at 8:49 am

Boxoffice, July 6, 1957: “The Clark Drive-In at Summer Hill, Ill., owned by Russell Armentrout of Louisiana, Mo., was flattened by the tornado of June 11 … The screen tower was blown down and considerable damage was done to the concession-projection building. Armentrout hoped to have it ready for opening at the end of this week.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on May 26, 2020 at 10:45 am

The Independent Film Journal, Aug. 7, 1954: “The first drive-in in this area (St. Louis) to air-condition its concession building was the Clark, between Pittsfield, Ill., and Louisiana, Mo. The theatre had a five-ton unit installed.”

KenLayton
KenLayton on May 26, 2020 at 4:17 pm

With the coronavirus, this theater may be worth re-opening.

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