Beverly Drive-In
5320 US Highway 49,
Hattiesburg,
MS
39401
5320 US Highway 49,
Hattiesburg,
MS
39401
No one has favorited this theater yet
Opened in 1948, the historic Beverly Drive-In ran successfully for decades. But in 1987, the theater’s owner passed away suddenly and the theater was forced to close.
Thanks to the efforts of Jim Norton and Barbara Suick, who own seven drive-in theaters in Florida and Wisconsin, the Beverly Drive-In reopened on May 15 2001, years after its last season came to an end. Norton and Suick’s N&S Theater Drive-Ins is one of the largest drive-in chains in the country, and their eight theaters are among the roughly 600 left in the United States. The two are leasing the Beverly from the daughter of the original owner.
The Beverly Drive-In was reopened as a first-run twin theater and now contains 500 parking spaces with two large screens, one measuring 100 x 75 feet and another measuring 80 x 40 feet.
It was destroyed by a fire in October 2010.
Contributed by
Ross Melnick
Want to be emailed when a new comment is posted about this theater?
Just login to your account and subscribe to this theater
Recent comments (view all 32 comments)
Back in 1956 it parked 200 cars and was owned by H.Hargroder.
The Beverly, the second Drive In Theatre opened in the state of Mississippi, is still owned by the family of Herb and Sue Hargroder. It had been leased to another operator, who ran it up to its closing due to damage by hurricaine Katrina in 2005.
Here is a view of the golf course in front of the drive-in:
http://tinyurl.com/ykos86k
If you’re trying to find the theater on the map view, look a bit north from 5320 to where 49 meets with Edwards Street. The drive-in can be seen at that intersection.
Was listed as accomadating 500 cars after twinning.
The Beverly Drive-in never ran an R-rated movie.Goes to show you don’t have to throw trash on the screen to make a buck.
This drive-in, which had been closed, was destroyed by fire early in the morning on September 30, 2010. Story here: View link
The Beverly was destroyed by an early morning fire on October 30, 2010, not September 30.
Thanks, saulad, for the correction. This webpage has a slideshow of the Beverly; in some of the pictures, the manager’s residence under the original screen can be seen: View link
You’re welcome. I drove by the Beverly while in Hattiesburg just a few weeks ago. It is so sad to read the news article about its destruction. It was the second drive-in that was opened in this state. I kept hoping someone would reopen it. There are only two operating drive ins left in this state now. At one time there were four in my area(Beach, Do, Don & Moonlite)alone. All gone now.