Platteville Drive-In
Ridge Avenue and 8th Avenue,
Platteville,
WI
53818
Ridge Avenue and 8th Avenue,
Platteville,
WI
53818
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The Platteville Drive-In opened its gates on June 25, 1953 with Sterling Hayden in “The Golden Hawk” along with a few cartoons, a sportlight, and a short subject on the U.S. Army Band. The theater was actually (and strangely) located at the current intersection of Ridge Avenue and 8th Avenue despite being located directly east of Wisconsin 81.
The original screen measures 56x62ft and was supported on a 74ft tower that withstand winds of 125 MPH secured on a cement base of 90 cubic yards of reinforced concrete. It was first operated by John O'Connor.
During the 1973 season, two of its speakers were stolen led by two local 18-to-19-year-old boys, but the Platteville Drive-In managed to continue operating for a little bit more. The theater unfortunately closed later in the mid-1970s and was immediately demolished to make way for a neighborhood.
There was a drive-in located at the present address of 8th Ave & Ridge Ave. It’s present in 1955 and 1972 aerial photos however I think it might be a different drive-in to the one described about, its closer to Highway 81 than 80.