Blue Moon Drive-In
141 Sunset Avenue,
Wellsburg,
WV
26070
141 Sunset Avenue,
Wellsburg,
WV
26070
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From the May 6, 1950 issue of BoxOffice:
WELLSBURG, W. VA. – Two men were killed and three others were injured seriously here when a concrete block screen tower on which they were working working collapsed before a strong wind. Four of the workers were on a scaffold 42 feet high when the strong gust of wind blew over the top six feet of six-inch-thick blocks which formed the screen backing.
Witnesses said the screen top bulged and the freshly laid concrete blocks tumbled down. Five workmen were buried beneath the rubble at the base of the tower. The fifth workman was unloading a truck at the foot of the wall.
some of the ramps can also be seen!
Odd name!!
The property is currently the home of American Muscle Docks and Fabrication, a company that manufacturers floating docks.
It certainly appears from Google Maps that the screen is still standing and intact. There is a structure that makes up part of the screen which may have been for storage or living quarters, something fairly common to house the drive-in owner or manager and their families.
Using Bing Maps Aerial view, then switching to Birds Eye view will confirm that whenever Bing took those photos the screen tower was still standing. It appears to have been a VERY large structure that had internal space behind it.
Although I cannot be certain, it appears from the aerial photos that the screen or at least part of it is still standing.
During the war years, circa 1942, when I was 12 years old, I used to hang out at the Alpine Theatre. My Cousin, who carried film between the Alpine and the Star Theatres, on “bank night”, (because there was only one print available between 2 theatres) got drafted. He asked me if I wanted his job, which gave me access to the projection booth, and eventually I learned from the projectionist (Wanda) how to run the projectors. Her husband had already been drafted. I shared this position with a Naval Reservist from Bethany, who was attending college there. He was eventually called to duty, which allowed me to take the job as projectionist. At 12 years old, I worked as a projectionist at the Alpine for a few weeks before management realized that I was under age per the labor laws, and as a result, they had me teach the Janitor to run the projectors. Once I taught the new projectionist their job, I was re-assigned to be the ticket-taker for movies.Eventually the projectionist at the Star Theatre (Dick) was drafted, allowing me to return to the projection booth, which I enjoyed, until around Christmas time, 1951 at the Star Theatre. Once Dick returned from the service, he was allowed to assume his job as the Star Theatre projectionist. Dick went on to become the projectionist at the new Blue Moon Drive-In Theatre. This resulted in me evaluating my options, and I went into the U.S. Air Force on January 7, 1952. I spent my military career as a photographer, stationed at various bases overseas and in USA. After military retirement, I returned to the projection booths for over 30 years in various locations. Richard C. Biggs ()
“CLASS of ‘44” playing here with “BULLITT” second feature.Can’t make this stuff up!
the Blue Moon drive-in Theatre was owned by HANNA THEATRE CORP.and parked 300 cars.