Bamberg Drive-In

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

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Kenmore
Kenmore on November 12, 2025 at 5:58 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 3:21 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 3:09 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 5:13 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 11:46 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 10:20 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