Route 34 Drive-In
4468 E. 12th Road,
Earlville,
IL
60518
4468 E. 12th Road,
Earlville,
IL
60518
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There are nice aerial photos of the 34 from 1965 and 1970 at VintageAerial.com
Although not noticed by the national lists, the drive-in was advertised in the local paper as the Dyas 34 from Year One. The 1955-56 Theatre Catalog listed it as the 34, capacity 300. The 1959-76 IMPAs also called it just the 34, with the oddly specific capacity of 241.
I guess the name changed when ownership changed. The last IMPA list (1988) still shows it as the Dyas 34, run by C. W. Dyas.
There’s a superb 2015 interview with owner Ron Magnoni Jr. on YouTube.
This theatre has now gone digital.
The website still works, the drive-in is just closed for the season.
Website disconnected. closed for ever?
There is a fundraiser now underway to convert to digital projection.
The address for this drive-in is 4468 East 12th Road.
I’ve been there…worth the drive if you live a distance away..One thing though…make sure there is no forecast for any potential storms in that area because you are out in the wide open spaces..
Here is a 2006 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/4wjh9k
If you folks want to see what a drive in theatre looked like in the 1950’s go see this one. It is operated by a man named Ron Magnoni who takes pride in this great drive in. It was built by Charles (Chuck)Dyas who owned and operated a indoor theatre in this little farm town as well. Both Ron and myself use to love to listen to Charlie talk about the good old days riding the train into Chicago to book pictures. With grass ramps and food cooked to order this drive in is a great memorial to all the drive ins of the past and our friend forever Charles (Chuck) Dyas.