I just drove past the Twin Hi-Way this morning; they just started giving the back of the screen a fresh paint job. Hopefully, they will keep the lettering the same as they did with the marquee. Also, I think the pavillion and sand volleyball court that was built in front of the screen a few years ago have been razed, I’m not sure. I’m still waiting anxiously for word on the grand reopening date; both side of the marquee still say REOPENING SPRING 2007 at this point.
If you want genuine drive-in nostalgia, the Kane Road Drive-In is the place to go! 98% of the lot still has speakers, including the classic round Motiographs! Two separate signs out on the road include the marquee with Coca-Cola logo and ENTRANCE sign with classic Sprite logo. Snack bar includes three 40’s style candy machines. The drive-in itself is on a reverse incline with playground in front of the screen. Located in a residential area, across from an elementary school. Owned by Steve Gray. Used to have flea markets, but apparently have been discontinued since the words FLEA MARKET are covered on both side of the sign at the Kane Road turnoff on PA 151.
The Kenmawr Drive-In was a favorite of pop singer Lou Christie, who lived in nearby Glenwillard. He used to mention this one during between-song banter, usually before “Rhapsody In The Rain”.
That is one of the coolest names for a moviehouse: Cameraphone. There’s a great photo of this theater in the local book “Pittsburgh: Then & Now”. I believe its last year was 1967, I’m not sure. If I can pinpoint the last day of operation in my continuing research on Pittsburgh theaters, I’ll post it.
Opened as Lakevue Drive-In on August 30, 1950. It was renamed Mt. Lebanon/Lakevue the following year, then finally Mt. Lebanon. Final night of operation was August 2, 1987.
Opened May 22, 1953. Closed at the end of the 1987 season. When the Parkway North stretch of I-279 opened two years later, the two screens and ticket booth were still standing, visible from the Camp Horne Rd. interchange. All hopes of resurrecting the Camp Horne Drive-In were dashed once Giant Eagle and Home Depot bought the land several years later.
Opened July 2, 1949. One of many Pittsburgh area drive-ins to close after the 1986 season. Located in Kennedy Township at Coraopolis & Fleming Park Rds. (PA 51). Stanford Courts housing development now occupies the Kenmawr Drive-In site.
At this point, the box office has been refurbished and freshly painted and the marquee has been completely refurbished with brand new letters in the same exact font.
It’s looking great! This was the drive-in that me and my family saw
the original “Star Wars” at when it came out in 1977. I can hardly wait for its grand reopening!
The Blue Dell Drive-In was one of many drive-ins built on or just off of the original Lincoln Highway in Southwestern Pennsylvania; others included Super 30, Maple, Greater Pittsburgh, Ardmore, Twin Hi-Way and Super 30 West. This was also one of several drive-ins owned and operated by the Warren family. One of these, Belle-Aire, was built behind the Blue Dell Pool.
For years after closing, the drive-in screen and sign (as well as the pool sign and the deteriorating pool itself) remained standing. The screen was just taken down a few years ago. Vangura laminating plant now stands on the drive-in site.
I just drove past the Twin Hi-Way this morning; they just started giving the back of the screen a fresh paint job. Hopefully, they will keep the lettering the same as they did with the marquee. Also, I think the pavillion and sand volleyball court that was built in front of the screen a few years ago have been razed, I’m not sure. I’m still waiting anxiously for word on the grand reopening date; both side of the marquee still say REOPENING SPRING 2007 at this point.
If you want genuine drive-in nostalgia, the Kane Road Drive-In is the place to go! 98% of the lot still has speakers, including the classic round Motiographs! Two separate signs out on the road include the marquee with Coca-Cola logo and ENTRANCE sign with classic Sprite logo. Snack bar includes three 40’s style candy machines. The drive-in itself is on a reverse incline with playground in front of the screen. Located in a residential area, across from an elementary school. Owned by Steve Gray. Used to have flea markets, but apparently have been discontinued since the words FLEA MARKET are covered on both side of the sign at the Kane Road turnoff on PA 151.
The Kenmawr Drive-In was a favorite of pop singer Lou Christie, who lived in nearby Glenwillard. He used to mention this one during between-song banter, usually before “Rhapsody In The Rain”.
That is one of the coolest names for a moviehouse: Cameraphone. There’s a great photo of this theater in the local book “Pittsburgh: Then & Now”. I believe its last year was 1967, I’m not sure. If I can pinpoint the last day of operation in my continuing research on Pittsburgh theaters, I’ll post it.
Opened as Lakevue Drive-In on August 30, 1950. It was renamed Mt. Lebanon/Lakevue the following year, then finally Mt. Lebanon. Final night of operation was August 2, 1987.
Opened May 22, 1953. Closed at the end of the 1987 season. When the Parkway North stretch of I-279 opened two years later, the two screens and ticket booth were still standing, visible from the Camp Horne Rd. interchange. All hopes of resurrecting the Camp Horne Drive-In were dashed once Giant Eagle and Home Depot bought the land several years later.
Opened July 2, 1949. One of many Pittsburgh area drive-ins to close after the 1986 season. Located in Kennedy Township at Coraopolis & Fleming Park Rds. (PA 51). Stanford Courts housing development now occupies the Kenmawr Drive-In site.
I just found the opening date of this one while doing research earlier today: June 26, 1974.
At this point, the box office has been refurbished and freshly painted and the marquee has been completely refurbished with brand new letters in the same exact font.
It’s looking great! This was the drive-in that me and my family saw
the original “Star Wars” at when it came out in 1977. I can hardly wait for its grand reopening!
The Blue Dell Drive-In was one of many drive-ins built on or just off of the original Lincoln Highway in Southwestern Pennsylvania; others included Super 30, Maple, Greater Pittsburgh, Ardmore, Twin Hi-Way and Super 30 West. This was also one of several drive-ins owned and operated by the Warren family. One of these, Belle-Aire, was built behind the Blue Dell Pool.
For years after closing, the drive-in screen and sign (as well as the pool sign and the deteriorating pool itself) remained standing. The screen was just taken down a few years ago. Vangura laminating plant now stands on the drive-in site.