Dixie Gardens Drive-In
1665 Dixie Highway,
Fort Wright,
KY
41011
1665 Dixie Highway,
Fort Wright,
KY
41011
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Firms: F & Y Building Service
Styles: Colonial Revival
Previous Names: Dixie Grardens Outdoor Theatre and Playground, Dixie Summer Gardens Drive-In
Nearby Theaters
Adjacent to the Dixie Gardens Ice Bowl skating rink, this drive-in was a quick drive across the bridge from Cincinnati on the I-71, not too far from the Erlanger Showcase Cinemas. Oftentimes, the screen was viewable from the highway, which probably caused many traffic accidents when nosy drivers or passengers caught a glimpse of the occasional racy flick.
The Dixie Gardens Drive-In was opened July 3, 1947 with June Haver in “Three Little Girls in Blue”, with a capacity for 750 cars. It was designed by the architectural firm F & Y Building Service in a Southern Colonial style. It was demolished in 1988.
Contributed by
Marc Edward Heuck
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Recent comments (view all 15 comments)
hey Glen4172..Can you post any of the pictures you have? Have any of the drive-in?
Aerial from 1960.
Having been born and living in South Ft Mitchell, KY (from 1949-1956), I can vividly recall many trips with my family to this fantastic drive-in on Dixie Hwy! I have been searching the web for ANY images of this theater, but have found absolutely NOTHING of importance. I have noticed however, that several members leaving comments above stated having actually worked there and of having photographs. PLEASE, if you do … I am sure that the original resident fans and other drive-in theater enthusiasts nationwide would LOVE enjoying and sharing those images. These photographs would be of great historical reference. Please consider ~ Thanks!
July 3rd, 1947 grand opening ad in photo section
I grew up just a couple miles away. My friends and I saw many movies there growing up. I didn’t like ice skating, or more truthfully, ice falling, but my sisters skated a lot. Nothing like hanging out with your friends on a warm night watching a movie.
Like a few people said, it’s sad this type of thing is gone. I remember when it burned but was totally surprised when they tore down the ice rink.
Oh, and since we took the exit next to it coming up the hill we would always nonchalantly try to catch a glimpse and see if something sexy was on!
Does anyone remember being at the Drive-In the night Beverly Hills burned down? If my memory serves me, and it may not in this case, I seem to remember being there that fateful night and being able to see the flames, or the smoke. I’m really stretching here, but I’m thinking King Kong was playing.
Better quality grand below (click on it)
Boxoffice, Aug. 24, 1970: “Richard P. Ernst Realty Co., owner of the Dixie Drive-In and the Florence Drive-In, has announced that it will sell the two ozoners to Redstone Theatres of Boston. Both drive-ins were opened in 1946.”
Is the Dixie Gardens Ice Bowl skating rink still there? Is there anything on this former drive-in theatre site now?