Bamberg Drive-In

US 601 and Drive-In Road,
Bamberg, SC 29003

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Kenmore
Kenmore on November 12, 2025 at 2:58 pm

There are still some questions.

The 1957 aerial shows the drive-in fits the 1953 Box Office magazine and 1955/56 Theater Catalog as given in the description.

However, it does not fit the International Motion Picture Almanac of 1961 in the description as it is clearly larger than a 50-car capacity.

Plus, it had listed the drive-in existing at least to 1976. Yet the 1974 aerial clearly shows the drive-in long demolished with large trees growing on the ramps. It takes considerable time for trees to grow that large.

One possible explanation is that the drive-in closed at that location in 1959/1960 and then re-opened in another location for 1961. But if so, I have yet to find another drive-in in the 1974 aerial … yet.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on November 12, 2025 at 12:21 pm

Judging by the 1957 aerial view, the drive-in looks kinda larger than a 50-car drive-in.

kennerado
kennerado on June 20, 2023 at 12:09 am

new photos confirm Kenmore’s excellent spotting, it’s there in a 1957 aerial and almost fully demolished/partially overgrown by 1974 with the remains of the concession building remaining.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on May 27, 2018 at 2:13 am

The Jericho Drive-in Jericho, Queensland, Australia may be the smallest drive-in the the world(36 cars, plus a siting area!!?)?

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on January 30, 2018 at 8:46 pm

Great find, Kenmore. In retrospect, the name “Drive In Road” was a dead giveaway. I really had to strain at that 1989 Historic Aerials photo to see what might be a screen facing south. With the trees already growing in the view field, it’s hard to tell how large it was just from that.

Kenmore
Kenmore on January 29, 2018 at 7:20 am

I believe I found it.

The address is US 601 and Drive in Road, Bamberg, SC which is located just south of the town. A 1989 aerial photo appears to show the remnants of a small drive-in.

Today, the property overgrown with trees and junk vehicles. There is no trace of the drive-in remaining.

https://tinyurl.com/yadsltvj