Skyline Drive-In

MichaelKilgore on April 30, 2022 at 3:18 am

I stumbled on the Skyline’s opening date, mentioned seemingly to fill space in the news of its sale three years later.

Boxoffice, July 2, 1955: “Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd B. Schmidt of Niangua, Mo., owners of the Skyline Drive-In, 250-car capacity, have sold the drive-into Dwight Cantrell, also of Niangua. Cantrell took over operation of the drive-in July 1. The Skyline was opened by Mr. and Mrs. Schmidt on Apr. 28, 1952.”

MichaelKilgore on April 21, 2020 at 4:30 am

Thanks so much for finding that, MI-DI! It was much closer to Marshfield (vs. Niangua) than I expected, only about a mile and a half from the center of town. Since the site used to be a cafe, I was a little nervous that the Skyline was really a mislabeled drive-in restaurant, but your find cures that worry!

One more Boxoffice note, March 15, 1952: “Lloyd Smith is erecting the 300-car Skyline.”

And I just checked a USGS photo taken May 1, 1964. In that aerial, the Skyline is long gone, with only its entrance and exit driveways clearly visible.

MichaelKilgore on March 2, 2020 at 3:14 pm

Boxoffice, Dec. 8, 1951: “Marshfield, Mo. – Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd Schmidt of Niangua bought the Skyline cafe from Herman Pearce and plan to build a drive-in theatre.”