Bel-Aire Drive-In
14431 U.S. 30,
Irwin,
PA
15642
14431 U.S. 30,
Irwin,
PA
15642
1 person
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Two spellings in one news item, in the May 12, 1958 issue of Boxoffice:
Tony Morocco’s Bel-Aire Drive-In, newest of the ozoners on the Route 30 stretch east of Wilkinsburg, has a second “balcony.” After completion and opening last year, a hillside in the rear of the outdoor theatre was graded, fenced and equipped for additional cars. This is identified as “Stardust Terrace,” being located near Morocco’s beautiful Blue Dell swimming pool the Bel-Air Drive-In boxoffice entrance, off the highway. The second terrace now is opened in the rear of the first “shelf” and this gives the ozoner an additional 40-car capacity space.
In the advertisement in the photo section, the name of the drive-in is spelled as “Bel-Aire,” and not “Belle-Aire.
1957 grand opening ad in photo section.
You gots it, hispeed54
To expand on general information, the Belle Aire opened on July 2, 1957 and lasted only two seasons. The last known listing from the Pittsburgh papers was from November 23, 1958.
Here it is!! Was not there very long!! Per DRIVEIN101
If this not right let me know.
I think I’ve finally found confirmation of the Belle Aire. From the Historic Aerials website, key in MAGNUS LANE IRWIN PA, bring up the 1957 aerial photo, and select “All Roads” from the overlay menu. The Blue Dell Pool is right across from Edwin Drive on Route 30; if you look to the right of the pool you can see what is undoubtedly the Belle Aire Drive-In. The current satellite photo shows the Elizabeth-Hata International building on the former drive-in site with the open field that used to be the Blue Dell Pool in front of the main parking lot.
Approx. address for the Blue Dell drive-in was 14431 U.S. 30, Irwin, PA. The Belle Aire Drive-in is located just NE off Peterson Rd.
You are right, Rick. The Belle Aire was owned by the Warren family who also ran the Blue Dell, Greater Pittsburgh, Rose, Super 30 and South Hills Drive-Ins.
I think the Belle Aire was placed behind the Blue Dell Pool, which was right next to the Blue Dell Drive-In. Joe Warren, who now runs the Evergreen Drive-In in nearby Mount Pleasant, shows us where it was in the WQED documentary “Stuff That’s Gone”