The above address will map to the location of the drive-in, which was demolished for the construction of 35th Street, which goes straight through what used to be the concession stand and the screen tower.
Here is a 1966 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
Lowes did not build this drive-in, they “inherited” it as they swallowed up smaller theatre chains throughout the 80s and 90s. Drive-ins sometimes came along with the deal, and the chains would treat them like a red-headed step child, milking them for years without putting money back into the operations. By the time they were done, the drive-in would be run down to the point where nobody would want to operate it, and the only practical course of action was redevelopment.
The Airport was a classic case of owner/operator negligence, as this drive-in was far enough on the outskirts of town that it could still be open and thriving today. The site is now a big hole in the ground, as the property has been put to use as a drainage retention area. Thank you UA/Lowes.
That is why I have resorted to using historical aerial imagery to obtain accurate, documented address information for drive-in locations. Address information from 50 years ago is frequently outdated, as roads have been renumbered and renamed over time. People’s memories can also get fuzzy, leading to more erroneous addresses.
I should also mention that I vigorously reviewed the 1955 aerial imagery for Hwy 57 in the areas around Thiensville, and there was no trace of a drive-in theatre. My conclusion was that the Thiensville address is not accurate.
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in, which is visible using Google Earth using historical imagery for the year 2000 and prior years.
U.S. 70 & Oklahoma 76, Healdton, OK 73438
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in, which was situated to the southwest corner of the intersection.
Here is a 1967 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/9bC8Sj
14782 N Memorial Dr, Collinsville, OK 74021
The above address will accurately map to the location of the drive-in.
Here is a topo map which displays the location of the drive-in:
View link
Mike,
The Tower was another drive-in, on Broadway in the north part of town. The Tower is already listed on CT: /theaters/20849/
U.S. 271 & New Hope Rd, Antlers, OK 74523
The above address will map accurately to the location of the drive-in, which was at the northeast corner of the intersection.
Here is a 1961 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/9bmdJ1
U.S. 281 & Wal Mart Rd, Anadarko, OK 73005
The above address will map accurately to the location of the drive-in, with another insidious Wal Mart store occupying a former drive-in property.
Here is a 1974 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/9bm331
Arlington St & N Monte Vista St, Ada, OK 74820
The above address will map accurately to the location of the drive-in, which was located at the southeast corner of the intersection.
Here is a 1957 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/9bc2oT
Broadway & Tower Cir, Ada, OK 74820
The above address will map accurately to the location of the drive-in.
There was no drive-in theatre on Sandy Creek Dr, according to the 1957 aerial photos.
Here is a 1957 aerial photo of the Tower Drive-In on Broadway, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/9bf5b3
The status of this drive-in is Closed/Demolished.
3420 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, AL 35401
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in, which was demolished for the construction of 35th Street, which goes straight through what used to be the concession stand and the screen tower.
Here is a 1966 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/9aAPwJ
U.S. 43 & Buster Roberts Rd, McIntosh, AL 36553
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in, which was on the east side of US 43, just south of Buster Roberts Rd.
Here is a 1972 aerial photo of the drive-in (after it had been closed) courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/9ay2j3
Here is a topo map which notes the location of the drive-in, courtesy of MSRMaps and USGS:
View link
1659 Forest Ave, Luverne, AL 36049
As Andy pointed out, the above address will map to the location of the drive-in.
Here is a topo map which notes the drive-in’s location, courtesy of MSRMaps and USGS:
View link
4599 Old Birmingham Hwy, Jasper, AL 35501
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in, which is still visible using Google Earth.
1352 Evangel Dr NW, Huntsville, AL 35816
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in.
Here is a 1979 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/9avMJy
5392 Headland Avenue
Dothan, AL 36303
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in, which can still be viewed using Google Earth.
Quality Lumber & Millworks is the current occupant of the property.
U.S. 29 & Florida St, East Brewton, AL 36426
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in, which is southwest of the intersection.
Here is a 1958 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/9amJHo
@Sam: Ask and ye shall receive.
Here is a 1958 aerial photo of the Front Drive-In, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/99ZpVm
It looks like it was a beautiful drive-in, it’s a shame they had to build I-81 over it.
Lowes did not build this drive-in, they “inherited” it as they swallowed up smaller theatre chains throughout the 80s and 90s. Drive-ins sometimes came along with the deal, and the chains would treat them like a red-headed step child, milking them for years without putting money back into the operations. By the time they were done, the drive-in would be run down to the point where nobody would want to operate it, and the only practical course of action was redevelopment.
The Airport was a classic case of owner/operator negligence, as this drive-in was far enough on the outskirts of town that it could still be open and thriving today. The site is now a big hole in the ground, as the property has been put to use as a drainage retention area. Thank you UA/Lowes.
That is why I have resorted to using historical aerial imagery to obtain accurate, documented address information for drive-in locations. Address information from 50 years ago is frequently outdated, as roads have been renumbered and renamed over time. People’s memories can also get fuzzy, leading to more erroneous addresses.
Here is a 1970 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of HistoricAerials.com:
View link
I should also mention that I vigorously reviewed the 1955 aerial imagery for Hwy 57 in the areas around Thiensville, and there was no trace of a drive-in theatre. My conclusion was that the Thiensville address is not accurate.
Old State Highway 57 & Ulao Pkwy, Grafton, WI 53024
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in.
The 57 Outdoor Theatre was located on the north side of Grafton, which is almost 8 miles further north of Thiensville.
Here is a 1955 aerial photo of the drive-in, located on the west side of Old State Hwy 57, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/99Nbsi
Mansfield Rd & W 70th St, Shreveport, LA 71108
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in, which was in the southwest corner of the intersection.
Here is a 1959 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/99exDq
1506 Shreveport Rd, Minden, LA 71055
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in. Hwy 79/80 is also Shreveport Road.
Here is a 1976 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/996wMd
W Main St & W 87th St, Cut Off, LA 70345
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in. The drive-in is vaguely visible using Google Earth.
20467 Cooley Rd, Bend, OR 97701
The above address will map to the location of the drive-in, which is visible using Google Earth using historical imagery for the year 2000 and prior years.