McHenry Outdoor Theatre
1510 N. Chapel Hill Road,
McHenry,
IL
60050
1510 N. Chapel Hill Road,
McHenry,
IL
60050
8 people
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Showing 26 - 33 of 33 comments
Does anyone know if this place is for sale? In all seriousness my oldest brother wants to buy a drive in and when I mentioned I once heard this was up for sale he told me to see if it still was. IF it is and he purchases he he will keep it open because he’s a theater lover like the rest of us.
Save Mchenry Outdoor Theater…The Quad drive-in south of Milwaukee on old 41, the Waukegan drive-in, the Grayslake drive-in to name a few I remember that are now developed. Developers go somewhere else and develop. These nostalgic institutes of family fun (for low cost) to where parents didn’t need to get a baby sitter, couples could go to romance are dwindling. If for the life of kids playing at the playground just before dusk as the summer sun sets into an orange sea of glow. The movie starts as the family sips on cold beverages and munch buttered popcorn and kids slowly slip into a back seat nap. Hopefully in our modern world we will not totally loose such a Grand American Tradition.–
The sign on Rte. 120 says the theater will reopen for the 2006 season!
There was an old drive in in Crystal Lake. My company was very interested in restoring it into operation. The city council wasn’t having it. So now the land where it once was, (the corners of Pingree Rd and Drive-in Ln, behind Outback) is now home to of all things more Townhouses. Compliments of the city council and Pulte.
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. I remember going to the Crystal Drive-In with my brother, sister and parents in the late 60’s and early 70’s. My oldest daughter is looking forward to working there this year. This will be her first job. I have heard that the owner will be keeping the theater opened for more seasons after 2005. Let’s hope the developers don’t pursuade the owner otherwise.
I don’t believe the pointed-roofed building you describe was ever a ticket booth for the drive-in. For one, it’s nearly a mile from that building to the theater screen down Chapel Hill Road. The earliest occupant I can remember was the Pine Tree Pet Shop – which, of course, played into the pointed roof, which is indeed shaped like an evergreen. Today, it is in fact a candy store (I drive by it twice daily). The Outdoor is still open as I type this…it’ll close for the season after Labor Day. Not sure the owners plan to close, in that they made a big deal this summer about having a “new” screen.
Someone assist me on this, but if I’m not mistaken, the hut/building (it has a pointed roof) that you would purchase your tickets at; before driving down the dirt road to the entrance; is still there but is now a chocolate store. ???
This is still our favorite outdoor theatre to go to. I have heard talk that it too will come down in the near future. It’s a shame that the drive-ins are all dwindling away. It really is an inexpensive fun for all & a great summer night out.