Tower Drive-In
E. Bird Street at N. Florida Avenue,
Tampa,
FL
33604
E. Bird Street at N. Florida Avenue,
Tampa,
FL
33604
3 people
favorited this theater
Named after the Sulphur Springs water tower, a local landmark, this drive-in was located on the Hillsboroough River and opened October 22, 1952 with David Wayne in “Wait ‘til the Sun Shines, Nellie” & George Montgomery in “Dakota Lil”. By 1957 the Tower Drive-In was operated by Floyd Theaters.
The theater was leveled in 1985 in anticipation for an apartment complex that never materialized. The ramps, driveway, assorted debris, and outline of the property remain, however. The site has since been purchased by the City of Tampa as part of its Sulphur Springs riverfront park. The water tower still stands, as well, and is visible for miles.
Contributed by
Andy
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Recent comments (view all 69 comments)
Sorry, meant to include that the Shakey’s radio ad is from 1966, when it just opened.
Thanks, tampapix. I moved from Sulphur Springs to near downtown Tampa in 1964, so the 1966 opening explains why I didn’t remember it.
My Grandmother (Lois McLeod) ran the Tower Drive Inn in the 70’s. I worked the concession and climb up on the marquee to add movie titles. She has since passed. She was a strong and hard working woman. Even after getting robbed and hit in the head one night at the ticket booth.
I hated this drive in like all Floyd theaters. They wanted the screen full all the time so any movie in scope would be off to the sides of the screen in the bushes.
This opened on October 22nd, 1952. Grand opening ad with aerial in the photo section and below
Found on Newspapers.com
Demolished in 1985.
I used to work there. I remember the robbery.
Boxoffice, April 4, 1960: “A unit of Floyd Theatres, the Tower Drive-In at Tampa, was forced to close temporarily when flood waters filled the outdoorer’s grounds”
I worked there in the mid seventies. Helped Mike in the projection booth and worked the concession stand. Hazel Byrd worked there along with Lois.
When did it close?