Auburn-Garrett Drive-In
1014 State Road 8,
Garrett,
IN
46738
1014 State Road 8,
Garrett,
IN
46738
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Boxoffice, Feb. 22, 1960: “The Tri-Hi Drive-In, northwest of Garrett, was sold at sheriff’s sale January 19 for $18,300 to Hudson Enterprises, Richmond. The only other bid, for $18,100, was made by Peter G. Maller, Fort Wayne theatre operator. The property was ordered sold November 12 by the DeKalb circuit court after judgments totaling more than $18,900 were awarded against Andromache Kalafat, Garrett, and the Tri-Hi Drive-In.”
The Garrett Clipper newspaper shows the original name of the drive-in as Tri-Hi, not Tri-Way. It opened for the 1960 season as Auburn-Garrett on April 8 that year.
Opened on 16/5/1951 with “Isn’t it romantic”.
The 1969 IMPA already showed a capacity of 430, so I’m guessing that either the parking expansion came before the new screen, or they both happened a little earlier than estimated.
Added some new pictures.
Here is a June 2007 story from the Ft. Wayne Reader:
http://tinyurl.com/3m7hso
My family and I have been going for years. My mom and dad took us and now I am taking my kids. We try to make it at least a couple times each summer but we love going on labor day and getting to watch 3 movies for the price of one at any other kind of theatre. Thanks for keeping this place going we love it.
Websites: http://www.cinemaassociates.com OR http://myspace.com/cinemaassociates OR http://myspace.com/auburngarrettdrivein
Chain: Cinema Associates
Remodels / Expansions: Originally built in 1951 as the Tri-Way Drive-In as a smaller, single screen. A few years later, more parking was added. A new screen replaced the old screen with the advent of Cinemascope and the name was changed to Auburn-Garrett Drive-In Theatre. In the early 70’s, an even bigger screen was erected as yet another replacement, and additional parking was added bringing the capacity to 420 cars. This is the screen currently in use, and the current capacity is still 420 cars.
We are one of the few remaining drive-in theatres that does not charge for children 11 and under.
Daylight savings time in the state of Indiana has been a difficult adjustment, but we are still producing sell-out nights and record breaking box office events.
This year marks our 55th anniversary, and we constantly thank our patrons for our success and endurance over the years.
This drive-in appeared in the film “Freak”.
Thanx much for the update.
400 car capacity; opened in 1951:
http://www.drive-ins.com/theater/intaubu