Thunderbird 601 Drive-In
3729 US 601,
Salisbury,
NC
28144
3729 US 601,
Salisbury,
NC
28144
2 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previously operated by: ABC Southeastern Theatres, Plitt Theatres
Previous Names: Highway 601 Drive-In
Nearby Theaters
Opened as the Highway 601 Drive-In on June 10, 1952 with Jeanne Crain in “Bells on Their Toes”. The name was changed in 1971 to Thunderbird 601 Drive-In under ABC Southeastern Theatres. It was closed under Plitt Theatres on November 1, 1987 with Jennifer Beals in “Flashdance”, and has since been demolished.
Contributed by
Matthew Mandarano
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Recent comments (view all 14 comments)
Anybody knows who I need to talk to about reopening this theater???
Are there any real estate company signs posted on the property? If not, then a trip or phone call to your county tax assessor’s office could tell you who owns the property and you could go from there.
WildJoker, get in touch with me. I was scouting this location for reopening about 6 months ago. I’m not sure there is much grade left in the land and there is nothing usable on the premises in regards to structure, but I have some information on who owns the property, contact info on the last operator of this drive-in, pictures from last fall of what the property looks like, not to mention some quotes on screen, digital projector, vending equipment, etc. I’d be interested in talking with you, maybe we could work together as I’ve flirted with the idea of re-opening a drive-in in Piedmont NC for some time now. My email is — thanks!
It was known as the Highway 601 Drive-In when it opened on June 10,1952. In my possession I have the ads for its grand opening through vintage newspaper scans. If you need to see them,please let know. My e-mail address is . Thank you.
STAR WARS played here as a re-release on July 28,1978. It was so successful that the management kept it on the venue until September of 1978.
WildJoker and Mmandarano, any progress on the possiblity of reopening this? I was riding by there today on my bike and thinking about how much fun it would be to schedule a bike-in movie ride on Friday/Saturday nights. I love outdoor movie theatres but all the ones still in existence are too far to drive to, much less bike. I had toyed with the idea of opening one a few years ago. I have some ideas and suggestions if you are serious.
The location of the drive-in is approximately 3729 US 601 (Google). Only the outline, the entrance and a few ramps remain. https://goo.gl/maps/uXi0N
I think the last movie shown there was Flashdance. We went to see it because it was the last movie shown there.
Land is currently for sale for $700k. Probably never going to be a drive in again at that price :(
June 10th, 1952 opening ad: