I sent most of my grade school and high school years at the Crystal Lake Drive In in Crystal Lake, IL. My Dad was the projectonist there for years and during the summer when I was off school I would spend my time helping him maintain the drive in. We would fix the broken speakers and clean up the car ramps of garbage from the night before. We would also change the marquee out on Rte. 14 that showed the movies that were playing at the time. It was a great place to spend time with my dad because he taught me the theatre business and we had great times together there. The drive in once had pony rides in a area that was below the screen area. They had a barn there where the ponies were kept and all of the saddles and all. I can remember at a younger age sitting on the back tailgate of the station wagon watching the movies in our pajamas. What a shame those times are gone and only a few cement memories remain now where a great outdoor theatre once stood.
My Dad was a projectionist at the Crystal Lake Drive in the 60’s and I can remember the great times I had there as a kid. We had pony rides up near the screen in a fenced in area and all kinds of things to do before the movies started at dusk. The great concession stand in the mid-area of the Drive-in. I can remember going out to the Drive In during the day to fix the broken speakers, clean up the grounds and change the sign out on Hwy 14 to show the movies showing. It was the place to go when I reached High School. I would always bring my friends there. We lived in Elgin so it was a long drive for my Dad each night. I live in St.Louis now and it did not surprise me to see that the Drive In property fell to progress and more homes and condos. Like we need more of that. Thanks for the information about its fate.
I am so glad that the Arcada will go on. My Dad was a projectionist there in the 50’s and early 60’s. I can remember seeing the Ten Commandments there and I will always remember that. I can also remember the ladder that my Dad had to climb to reach the projection booth. I don’t know how he did it every day. I remember the Saturday matinees showing all of our favorite cartoons on the large screen. I am glad that another generation will be able to enjoy a great theater.
I sent most of my grade school and high school years at the Crystal Lake Drive In in Crystal Lake, IL. My Dad was the projectonist there for years and during the summer when I was off school I would spend my time helping him maintain the drive in. We would fix the broken speakers and clean up the car ramps of garbage from the night before. We would also change the marquee out on Rte. 14 that showed the movies that were playing at the time. It was a great place to spend time with my dad because he taught me the theatre business and we had great times together there. The drive in once had pony rides in a area that was below the screen area. They had a barn there where the ponies were kept and all of the saddles and all. I can remember at a younger age sitting on the back tailgate of the station wagon watching the movies in our pajamas. What a shame those times are gone and only a few cement memories remain now where a great outdoor theatre once stood.
My Dad was a projectionist at the Crystal Lake Drive in the 60’s and I can remember the great times I had there as a kid. We had pony rides up near the screen in a fenced in area and all kinds of things to do before the movies started at dusk. The great concession stand in the mid-area of the Drive-in. I can remember going out to the Drive In during the day to fix the broken speakers, clean up the grounds and change the sign out on Hwy 14 to show the movies showing. It was the place to go when I reached High School. I would always bring my friends there. We lived in Elgin so it was a long drive for my Dad each night. I live in St.Louis now and it did not surprise me to see that the Drive In property fell to progress and more homes and condos. Like we need more of that. Thanks for the information about its fate.
I am so glad that the Arcada will go on. My Dad was a projectionist there in the 50’s and early 60’s. I can remember seeing the Ten Commandments there and I will always remember that. I can also remember the ladder that my Dad had to climb to reach the projection booth. I don’t know how he did it every day. I remember the Saturday matinees showing all of our favorite cartoons on the large screen. I am glad that another generation will be able to enjoy a great theater.