Midway Drive-In

91 Palmyra Road,
Sterling, IL 61021

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MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on June 23, 2017 at 4:01 pm

The 1952-56 Theatre Catalogs list it under Prairieville, capacity 400, Exec: John Kontos, L. G. Rorer, Prairieville Th. Corp.

The 1959 IMPA lists it in Prairieview (sic), capacity 475, owned by “Kontos & Rorer”. The 1963 edition gets Prairieville right.

The 1969-76 IMPAs didn’t list it at all. Weird! It’s back by the 1982-84 editions, now in Sterling, run by L&M Mgt. The 1986-88 IMPAs switched the owner to Bowman Ths.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on September 20, 2014 at 1:30 am

According to their website the Midway Drive-In has made the conversion to digital projection

Midwaydrivein
Midwaydrivein on February 5, 2012 at 8:49 pm

Thanks Norman! I’ve seen some of your other photos. You’ve done an amazing job documenting classic theaters!

Norman Plant
Norman Plant on February 5, 2012 at 8:12 pm

The Drive-In looks so much better than when I came through 8 years ago and photographed it. Best of luck with it.

Midwaydrivein
Midwaydrivein on February 5, 2012 at 5:44 pm

Below is the updated info for the Midway Drive-In

The Midway Drive-In opened in August 1950. The Midway currently plays double features of First-Run films.

 Midway Drive-In
                 91 Palmyra Road
                 Dixon, IL  61021
              
                 Phone (847) 647-3124
              
                 Car capacity – 500 cars

Operated by – Kerz Productions, Inc. since August 2007

 Website www.themidwaydrivein.net
Midwaydrivein
Midwaydrivein on February 5, 2012 at 5:40 pm

Thank you lostmemory for posting that updated photo of the Midway Drive-In screen tower! My wife and I purchased the Midway in 2007 and have completely restored the Midway (including the screen tower).

tmesser
tmesser on April 13, 2007 at 5:11 pm

To my knowledge, they are not a previous owner. Unfortunately, Bowman doesn’t seem to have a Web site to confirm that.

My sister tells me that the marquee currently indicates the theater opens for the season on May 5. I guess that answers my question.

tmesser
tmesser on April 11, 2007 at 12:34 pm

Who owns this theater now? Sensible Cinemas no longer lists it. 21st Century Cinemas, owner of Dixon’s Plaza 4 (which was co-owned with the Midway Drive-In for a while) does not list it, either. The phone number has usually been disconnected during the off-season, but it remains disconnected now in mid-April. I hope it has not closed permanently.