Crystal Drive-In
Pingree Road and Drive-in Lane,
Crystal Lake,
IL
Pingree Road and Drive-in Lane,
Crystal Lake,
IL
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Approx. address for this drive-in was 7382 Pingree Road.
1962 aerial has been posted here.
Does anyone have any pictures of the drive in? I have searched high and wide for any photos, either while it was operational or after it was closed and cant seem to find anything.
Those were the days.
great story Divotking.
They must have expanded the Drive-in.My 1956 Motion Picture Almanac has it parking only 500 cars and was owned by L.&D.Marce.
I sent most of my grade school and high school years at the Crystal Lake Drive In in Crystal Lake, IL. My Dad was the projectonist there for years and during the summer when I was off school I would spend my time helping him maintain the drive in. We would fix the broken speakers and clean up the car ramps of garbage from the night before. We would also change the marquee out on Rte. 14 that showed the movies that were playing at the time. It was a great place to spend time with my dad because he taught me the theatre business and we had great times together there. The drive in once had pony rides in a area that was below the screen area. They had a barn there where the ponies were kept and all of the saddles and all. I can remember at a younger age sitting on the back tailgate of the station wagon watching the movies in our pajamas. What a shame those times are gone and only a few cement memories remain now where a great outdoor theatre once stood.
Unfortunately this theater and land was torn down and excavated. Townnhomes are being built in its place. I remember the days that my brother, sister and I would spend a weekend night watching movies at this theater, with our parents. I missed those days. I have been taking my 2 daughters to the McHenry Drive-In for the last 5 years, so they too can experience the thrill of being at a drive-in. My oldest daughter, is looking forward to working at that theater this year.
Growing up in this area and then coming back years later; it truly is a marvel to see that the screen still stands and is like a piece of history that is frozen in time. Indeed it is heavily overgrown and if looking for it, you must keep a close eye out for it. It is on the east side of Pingree road about 1/16 – 1/8 miles south of Rte. 14.