Paoli Drive-In
1020 E. US-150,
Paoli,
IN
47454
1020 E. US-150,
Paoli,
IN
47454
2 people favorited this theater
The Paoli Drive-In was opened by 1952 when it was operated by James & Gladys Dunn and Ornstein Ct. This was a still standing single screen drive-in with the screen and fences still in place until the late 2010’s. The property is used by a trucking and gravel company.
It is located just off Highway 150 on the east side of town. It sits on the north side of the road. It was still open in 1957.
Contributed by
Matt Kemp
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Recent comments (view all 7 comments)
IN 1956 THE PAOLI DRIVE IN parked 310 cars and was owned by E.L. Ornstein.
The above address is incorrect as it points to West of town.
The drive in which is still intact is in fact being used by the gravel company. From aerials you can see newer buildings where the concession stand/projection booth used to be.
FYI Calcar Gravel is located at 860 E. US Hwy 150, Paoli, IN 47454. This address is the closest to what the drive in address is now. It actually points to the gravel pits next to the drive in itself.
Is the place where the cars use to park all gone?
No, ramps and screen are still visible, ironically the current Google Maps aerial view has a bunch of cars parked on some of the back ramps. Keep in mind, the address above is just NORTHWEST of the drive in location. Scroll a little to the south and east and you will find it.
As of May, 2018, the screen is still up but just barely.
I’m all for preserving drive-ins, but if they cannot repair the screen, then it probably needs to come down before a gust of wind blows it down.
It was still open in the 1970s.
A closer address is 1020 E U.S. Hwy 150, Paoli, IN.
Google Maps has updated their addresses and this puts it right in the middle of the property.
An August 2023 Google Street View shows the screen has finally collapsed. It is now a heap of rotted wooden planks and poles. Otherwise, only the outline and ramps remain.
https://tinyurl.com/48hhwxse