Launched in May of 1949 with 425 car capacity for Armand Bourque. But the theatre made news in 1969 when John Laughlin, Jr. — then manager of the Sky-Ray D-I — was the first person in the state to be charged with violating New Hampshire’s newly crafted pornography rule for showing Russ Meyer’s Vixen. Laughlin was found innocent. The theatre would run another 16 years.
The Harrisburg Drive-In was the first of two Harrisburg area drive-in theaters neither within the city limits. It was followed by the Starlite Drive-In which was closer to Eldorado and Wasson. The Harrisburg Drive-In was just a minute or two outside of the Harrisburg city limits in Pankeyville and launched May 14, 1949.
In December of 1952, the theater closed on weekdays to construct an indoor theater and changing its name very briefly to the Harrisburg Drive-In-Door Theater to try and explain the indoor/outdoor element to patrons. The owners claimed that it was the first indoor/outdoor drive-in in Illinois which may be dubious and certainly the moniker was confusing as the name was quickly reverted to Harrisburg Drive-In Theatre.
The theater showed its first 3D film on August 5, 1953 with “Side Streets of Hollywood.” It may have shown its last 3D shows on July 10, 1954 when it played a well-attended dusk-to-dawn show with 12 films including two lost 1953 anaglyph attractions from Broadway Roadshow Productions in “Bowery Scandals” and “The Cleopatra Follies.” Those who made it to the last feature got free coffee and doughnuts. The 10 cent glasses only worked on two of the features so the investment may have been less than worth it.
Locally involved, the Harrisburg D-I held benefit screenings for the Kiwanis Club, the high school band, and many others as well as sunrise services. But on August 18, 1965, after a showing of Elvis Presley’s “Tickle Me,” it appears to have ended for the Harrisburg Drive-In. August 19, 1965, the theater lists “closed” and advertisements cease. The theater was later demolished and became a farm implement dealer.
Correct date of opening was September 15, 1954 as the Jolly Roger adorned the giant curved screen that featured a 60 foot rocking pirate ship on its tower. Nick George claimed to have installed the first three-channel stereophonic sound north of the Mason-Dixon line using speakers that were invented and used in Texas drive-ins. The innovative theater would also opt for a distinctive gas-fired central heating system to keep patrons warm in the winter months. The theater lasted 36 years and is still greatly missed.
Sol Shocker and his Super Skyway Drive-In Theatre Corporation launched the Super Skyway Drive-In in September of 1954. And it was super with 70' screen, stereo sound, and widescreen presentation including CinemaScope. The 1,000 car space ozoner launched with fireworks, a symphonic live music overture, and the film, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The plans called for ice rink, swimming pool, shuffleboard and horseshoe pitching area, and children’s playground. At the close of the abbreviated 1954 season, Shocker sold out to Manos Enterprises though he would stay in a managerial role at the Super Skyway.
Opened October 18, 1949 with “Take Me Out to the Ballgame. The ozoner was by Joseph Miskinis and Alden Smith. The theater drew so many to its 1,000 plus lot that a Manley Stadium Popcorn popper was purchased and the corn popped in the afternoon to better handle hungry patrons. Because it was two blocks from busy Woodward Avenue, two attraction signs were constructed. The first was in front of the theater on Normandy Road and the other on Woodward announcing features with a permanent sign indicating that the drive-in was two short blocks away. One of many drive-in theatres advertising the “World’s Largest Screen” and at 35,000 square feet, it was no slouch.
The Thunder Bay Drive-In launched on June 28, 1955 using the 100-foot screen for owners Wesley Benac and H.E. Totten. On July 5, 1981, Alice Cooper rocked the Thunder Bay in the ozoner’s most memorable moment. A victim of home video and cable television in the late 1980s, it closed and was demolished in 1993.
The beautiful tower was architected by Ted Rogvoy. Rogvoy created a sister drive-in for Allied Drive-In Management Circuit of Cleveland which operated the Miles at opening with its 1,000 car Ecorse Drive-In in Taylor, Michigan.
Talgar Theatres Circuit launched its Main Street Drive-In Theatre on October 1, 1950. C.L. Clyatt Jr. managed the 700-car facility which had a cafeteria-style concession stand. A seating area for non-drivers was added, as well.
Arkansas' longest highway, Highway 7, runs North-South for the length of the state. Traffic was such that it looked to be a picturesque setting for an ozoner and it was named for the road it adjoined. Opening day for the 7 Drive-In was June 25, 1949 opened by C.W. Jones. Jones claimed that the regular theater seat capacity was 400 and that there were spaces for 400 cars at opening. For a brief time was operated by Gulf States Theatres and final operator appears to be Rosenthal Enterprises.
Referred to as the No. 7 Drive-In in 1954 which is reflected in many sources thereafter, the 7 Drive-In provided decades of service to the area before closing and being torn down. And Highway 7 would face pressure, itself, with drivers preferring US 167 to the east and the second-gen created road, Business US 167 running by the 7 Drive-In. Unphased, the location never waivered from its 3117 address though sometimes as 3117 Highway 7 and other times 3117 North West Ave. Tree overgrowth just beyond the El Dorado Inn (3019 N. West Ave.) puts you on the correct side of the road and just to the north you should be able to find some remnant of the old 7 on old 7. Using Historic Aerials, you’ll see its outline clearly in 1994.
The September 24, 1952 opening was a complete sell-out for both shows as the 300-car drive-in packed them in for circuit Theatre Enterprises based in Des Moines.
Debuted August 27, 1947. The theater had a seating area for 200 walk-ins and operator C.B. Hayworth received a citation for his services to veterans by the VFW there.
August 27, 1950 was the launch date for the Hoosac Drive-In with “Mexican Hayride” and “South of St. Louis” on the big screen located on the Adams-North Adams town line. Opened with a capacity for 435 cars on ten ramps. A 36x40' screen was constructed by the original operator, the Boylston Drive-In Corporation circuit.
Opened July 1, 1949, the Jasper businessmen who opened the theater had sit down theater seating for patrons who rode the bus or took cars to the ozoner. Located on the Montgomery Highway, the theater took its original name from adjoining highway 80 as the 80 Drive-In Theatre before becoming the Lincoln Drive-In.
H.A. Parrots launched his 275-car drive-in on September 2, 1948. It was called the Lakeland due to it proximity to the Spirit and Okoboji Lakes. Nearby entertainment also included the Okoboji Speed Bowl where race nights drew loyal crowds. The largest crowd was 2,500 people who came out for a Democratic political rally in 1950. The Drive-In was knocked over in a wind storm in 1952 but rebuilt.
But the ozoner became known for the First Lutheran Church claimed to have the longest-running church services held at a Drive-In beginning at the Lakeland Drive-In on May 22, 1949. Started by Rev. Gordon Smedstrude of the Evangelical Lutheran Church-in in Storm Lake, the practice continued at other northwest Iowa drive-ins including Storm Lake’s Corral Drive-In. Though the drive-in was demolished, the services continued into the 2010s.
And the ozoner had a battle of the bands contests with one of the winning bands discovered at the Lakeland D-I which would go on to the Iowa Music Hall of Fame in The Castels, winner of the 1963 contest.
Opened in July of 1953 with both outdoor spaces and an indoor auditorium.
Launched in May of 1949 with 425 car capacity for Armand Bourque. But the theatre made news in 1969 when John Laughlin, Jr. — then manager of the Sky-Ray D-I — was the first person in the state to be charged with violating New Hampshire’s newly crafted pornography rule for showing Russ Meyer’s Vixen. Laughlin was found innocent. The theatre would run another 16 years.
The Harrisburg Drive-In was the first of two Harrisburg area drive-in theaters neither within the city limits. It was followed by the Starlite Drive-In which was closer to Eldorado and Wasson. The Harrisburg Drive-In was just a minute or two outside of the Harrisburg city limits in Pankeyville and launched May 14, 1949.
In December of 1952, the theater closed on weekdays to construct an indoor theater and changing its name very briefly to the Harrisburg Drive-In-Door Theater to try and explain the indoor/outdoor element to patrons. The owners claimed that it was the first indoor/outdoor drive-in in Illinois which may be dubious and certainly the moniker was confusing as the name was quickly reverted to Harrisburg Drive-In Theatre.
The theater showed its first 3D film on August 5, 1953 with “Side Streets of Hollywood.” It may have shown its last 3D shows on July 10, 1954 when it played a well-attended dusk-to-dawn show with 12 films including two lost 1953 anaglyph attractions from Broadway Roadshow Productions in “Bowery Scandals” and “The Cleopatra Follies.” Those who made it to the last feature got free coffee and doughnuts. The 10 cent glasses only worked on two of the features so the investment may have been less than worth it.
Locally involved, the Harrisburg D-I held benefit screenings for the Kiwanis Club, the high school band, and many others as well as sunrise services. But on August 18, 1965, after a showing of Elvis Presley’s “Tickle Me,” it appears to have ended for the Harrisburg Drive-In. August 19, 1965, the theater lists “closed” and advertisements cease. The theater was later demolished and became a farm implement dealer.
Correct date of opening was September 15, 1954 as the Jolly Roger adorned the giant curved screen that featured a 60 foot rocking pirate ship on its tower. Nick George claimed to have installed the first three-channel stereophonic sound north of the Mason-Dixon line using speakers that were invented and used in Texas drive-ins. The innovative theater would also opt for a distinctive gas-fired central heating system to keep patrons warm in the winter months. The theater lasted 36 years and is still greatly missed.
H.S. Cole launched the Bonham Drive-In on July 11, 1950 with John Wayne in the “Three Godfathers” for its grand opening plus fireworks.
Launched for Harold Hirshberg on good luck Friday, August 13, 1954. Would become part of the Boyd Theatre Circuit out of Philadelphia.
Sol Shocker and his Super Skyway Drive-In Theatre Corporation launched the Super Skyway Drive-In in September of 1954. And it was super with 70' screen, stereo sound, and widescreen presentation including CinemaScope. The 1,000 car space ozoner launched with fireworks, a symphonic live music overture, and the film, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The plans called for ice rink, swimming pool, shuffleboard and horseshoe pitching area, and children’s playground. At the close of the abbreviated 1954 season, Shocker sold out to Manos Enterprises though he would stay in a managerial role at the Super Skyway.
Opened October 18, 1949 with “Take Me Out to the Ballgame. The ozoner was by Joseph Miskinis and Alden Smith. The theater drew so many to its 1,000 plus lot that a Manley Stadium Popcorn popper was purchased and the corn popped in the afternoon to better handle hungry patrons. Because it was two blocks from busy Woodward Avenue, two attraction signs were constructed. The first was in front of the theater on Normandy Road and the other on Woodward announcing features with a permanent sign indicating that the drive-in was two short blocks away. One of many drive-in theatres advertising the “World’s Largest Screen” and at 35,000 square feet, it was no slouch.
The Thunder Bay Drive-In launched on June 28, 1955 using the 100-foot screen for owners Wesley Benac and H.E. Totten. On July 5, 1981, Alice Cooper rocked the Thunder Bay in the ozoner’s most memorable moment. A victim of home video and cable television in the late 1980s, it closed and was demolished in 1993.
The beautiful tower was architected by Ted Rogvoy. Rogvoy created a sister drive-in for Allied Drive-In Management Circuit of Cleveland which operated the Miles at opening with its 1,000 car Ecorse Drive-In in Taylor, Michigan.
Talgar Theatres Circuit launched its Main Street Drive-In Theatre on October 1, 1950. C.L. Clyatt Jr. managed the 700-car facility which had a cafeteria-style concession stand. A seating area for non-drivers was added, as well.
Arkansas' longest highway, Highway 7, runs North-South for the length of the state. Traffic was such that it looked to be a picturesque setting for an ozoner and it was named for the road it adjoined. Opening day for the 7 Drive-In was June 25, 1949 opened by C.W. Jones. Jones claimed that the regular theater seat capacity was 400 and that there were spaces for 400 cars at opening. For a brief time was operated by Gulf States Theatres and final operator appears to be Rosenthal Enterprises.
Referred to as the No. 7 Drive-In in 1954 which is reflected in many sources thereafter, the 7 Drive-In provided decades of service to the area before closing and being torn down. And Highway 7 would face pressure, itself, with drivers preferring US 167 to the east and the second-gen created road, Business US 167 running by the 7 Drive-In. Unphased, the location never waivered from its 3117 address though sometimes as 3117 Highway 7 and other times 3117 North West Ave. Tree overgrowth just beyond the El Dorado Inn (3019 N. West Ave.) puts you on the correct side of the road and just to the north you should be able to find some remnant of the old 7 on old 7. Using Historic Aerials, you’ll see its outline clearly in 1994.
Opened August 1, 1953
For the 1952 season, the seagull mural was replaced by a mermaid on the Gulf tower.
George M. Peterson architected the Sandusky D-I.
Architect was David Supowitz of Philadelphia.
The September 24, 1952 opening was a complete sell-out for both shows as the 300-car drive-in packed them in for circuit Theatre Enterprises based in Des Moines.
Launched June 2, 1950 by Thomas and Paul Kerrigan who were also debuting their Hi-Way Drive-In in Frackville, PA at the same time.
Launched June 2, 1950, the Kerrigans also launched the Harrisburg Drive-In in Lower Paxton at the same time.
Grand opening was August 22, 1950.
Debuted August 27, 1947. The theater had a seating area for 200 walk-ins and operator C.B. Hayworth received a citation for his services to veterans by the VFW there.
August 27, 1950 was the launch date for the Hoosac Drive-In with “Mexican Hayride” and “South of St. Louis” on the big screen located on the Adams-North Adams town line. Opened with a capacity for 435 cars on ten ramps. A 36x40' screen was constructed by the original operator, the Boylston Drive-In Corporation circuit.
Opening day was June 9, 1950.
Opened July 1, 1949, the Jasper businessmen who opened the theater had sit down theater seating for patrons who rode the bus or took cars to the ozoner. Located on the Montgomery Highway, the theater took its original name from adjoining highway 80 as the 80 Drive-In Theatre before becoming the Lincoln Drive-In.
H.A. Parrots launched his 275-car drive-in on September 2, 1948. It was called the Lakeland due to it proximity to the Spirit and Okoboji Lakes. Nearby entertainment also included the Okoboji Speed Bowl where race nights drew loyal crowds. The largest crowd was 2,500 people who came out for a Democratic political rally in 1950. The Drive-In was knocked over in a wind storm in 1952 but rebuilt.
But the ozoner became known for the First Lutheran Church claimed to have the longest-running church services held at a Drive-In beginning at the Lakeland Drive-In on May 22, 1949. Started by Rev. Gordon Smedstrude of the Evangelical Lutheran Church-in in Storm Lake, the practice continued at other northwest Iowa drive-ins including Storm Lake’s Corral Drive-In. Though the drive-in was demolished, the services continued into the 2010s.
And the ozoner had a battle of the bands contests with one of the winning bands discovered at the Lakeland D-I which would go on to the Iowa Music Hall of Fame in The Castels, winner of the 1963 contest.