Chippewa Drive-In
500 W. Chippewa Avenue,
South Bend,
IN
46614
500 W. Chippewa Avenue,
South Bend,
IN
46614
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Closed on July 13, 1988 after a fire caused by arson destroyed the concession stand. This was the second time the concession stand was destroyed by a fire in the 1980s. The first fire in November 1985 caused heavy fire damage to the same building.
Switched to adult movies on May 28, 1982
Reopened as the Chippewa Twin Drive-In on June 4th, 1976
This opened on July 8th, 1951 as the Moonlite Outdoor theatre.
Moonlite Outdoor Theatre opening Sun, Jul 8, 1951 – 52 · The South Bend Tribune (South Bend, Saint Joseph, Indiana, United States of America) · Newspapers.com
1950’s aerial photo added, photo credit Photoseeum. Via the Quality Retro Oldies 1900s-1970s Fcaebook page.
The theater converted to an XXX outdoor showing Deep Throat for an entire season in 1984 and continued as an adult until it closed in 87 or 88. Up until 1986 the booth was staffed by members of Local 187 IATSE.
1967 aerial posted here.
Apparently it opened at least a little earlier that 1954 as this theater’s page at Drive-ins.com includes an ad from 1953: http://www.drive-ins.com/pictures/intchip001.jpg