Skyvue Drive-In
1550 Columbia Highway,
Dothan,
AL
36301
1 person favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: Martin Theatres
Architects: Rufus E. Bland
Styles: Streamline Moderne
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Opened on August 18, 1949 with Virginia Grey in “Unknown Island”. The Skyvue Drive-In was located in the southeast part of town inside the Ross Clark Circle loop, near the corner of Main Street and Columbia Highway. It was operated by Martin Theatres.
It was closed at the end of the 1983 season. The theatre was demolished in the late-1980’s, the driveways remain. The lot itself still resembles a drive-in and, while overgrown, there may be theatre remnants among the weeds and trees.
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
Skyvue might not be its real name. I found the site while looking at topographical maps of Dothan. I then checked some of the other theater websites to see if they had any listings for a drive-in in town. The Skyvue was the only name I found.
There was a drive-in at this site for sure. Clouds obscure the lot on Google Maps, but the outline is visible on Bing.
Thanks Andy.
Its page at Drive-ins.com indicates that the spelling of the name was Skyview and that it opened in 1949.
1949 is the correct date. It was owned by the Davis Family. Not sure of the closing date.
Opened August 18, 1949 with the film, “Unknown Island.” The theatre was designed by R.E. Bland for the Martin & Davis Circuit. The screen tower was 50' high and 58' wide with 10 ramps for the 400 cars. 9 ramp men were on duty to help with the parking.
Additions on the side for CinemaScope would mean it was built prior to 1953.
Opening ad:
SkyVue Drive-In opening 17 Aug 1949, Wed The Dothan Eagle (Dothan, Alabama) Newspapers.com
A pair of medical buildings now sit on the site, taking up most of the property.
However, the entrance and exit roads or at least part of them still exist. They are still present on the west end of the property and connect with the Columbia HWY.
The drive-in was still intact in 1986, but was demolished by 1989.
Closed after the 1983 season.