In a space architected by Charles Herbert and Associates, Prestige Jewelers and Distributors was the focal point of a shopping center concept known initially as the Daniels Building and then very briefly as the Prestige Mall. Located next to Merle Hay Mall just beyond its Sears store, Davis Theatres launched the Forum IV Theatres on December 18, 1974 with “Godfather II” and “The Gambler.” The lobby was an ancient Roman concept and signage above the doors used roman numerals and the entries has statues and pillars
But in the porno chic era, Davis was known for its XXX theatres and used the Forum IV for the X titles finding success in 1975. In June of 1975, three of the titles at the Forum IV were “The Happy Hooker,” “The Secret of the Sacred Forest,” and “If You Don’t Stop It, I’ll Go Blind.” And on the other screen — with the Plaza down the way with its giant 60' screen and 700 seat auditorium booked with “Benji” — the Forum had as its fourth offering the Steven Spielberg film, “Jaws.” And with it, the Forum got its traction as the film stayed more than six months all the way to Christmas that year and Davis used the Forum to book mainstream films there. But the XXX fare continued at other theaters and the publicly-held Davis was under the mircoscope for its presentations as well as being in a more competitive multiplex environment that it told stockholders it wasn’t equipped to compete in. So it sold out its theatrical operation in 1976 to the Dubinsky Brothers Circuit.
The Forum lost a lot of its dated kitschy feel in a redesign in the 1980s. And though closure is stated above as being in the early 1990s which may be true, I believe the theatre had a 25-year lease which it made it to the end of. (If it closed in the early 1990s, my apologies.) But I believe the theatre was the first to be equipped with DTS sound in Des Moines and — again — it was Spielberg packing the Forum’s largest screen with the opus “Jurassic Park” in 1993 which did monster business for the theatre with the sound leaking to the neighboring screen. Carmike Theatres became the last operator of the theatre and the Forum IV is one of three theatres in and American with Disabilities Act lawsuit against the chain along with the River Hills Twin and the Sierra 3. Rather than retrofit the theatre which was at and of lease, the Forum IV was closed in June of 1998. The theatre was gutted and retrofitted for other retail purposes.
The Melody Drive-In opened July 22, 1949 as a single-screen 500-car screen operated by G.V. Banta, T. Vitello and J. Richard Hand. To celebrate the showing of “The Music Man,” star Forrest Tucker made a two-day personal appearance on Jul 17-18, 1959. The Drive-In continued into the digital projection era.
The 450-seat Franklin Theatre opened at 400 S. Main Street on January 16, 1913 showing motion pictures and operated by John Franklin. John T. White took on the Franklin Building housing the theater, hotel, and restaurant switching the name in September of 1916 to the Savoy Building including the Savoy Theatre. The theatre was closed for a month in July of 1920 for remodeling. In early May of 1928, the Savoy Building was sold and on May 12, 1928, the Savoy Theatre had its final shows likely reaching the end of a 15-year lease. The theatre was gutted and became a Chevy dealer and ends this cinema treasure’s run as Parmyra was getting a newly-created theater nearby. The Savoy Building would also house Lewis Brothers Funeral Home — the second undertaker in the premises — taking over the hotel portion. In the 1970s, the building was razed and became the Palmyra State Bank.
The Pal Theatre launched on May 9, 1928 at 305 S. Main Street with live shows and then had its first motion pictures taking over the Savoy’s bookings just days later. It was housed in the former Best Brothers' Hardware Company building and converted for use as the Pal. In February of 1930, E.H. Wiesner took on the Pal equipping it with sound using Vitaphone. In 1932, James H. “Oscar” Wesley purchased the theater closing it for three months to make improvements including Synchrofilm to replace disc-based sound. He kept the theater until 1951 when Frank Reller of Reller Theatres took on the Pal.
The Pal and the Franklin/Savoy have no connection in terms of their building or address but the Pal did become Palmyra’s Theatre taking over the Savoy’s bookings.
Note: Previous name listed as Savoy Theatre is in error.
Began in July of 1947 as the Sunset Park Auto Theatre. Major improvements led to a grand re-opening as the New Sunset Park Auto Theatre August 24, 1948. In 1950, the theatre changed to its final name of Sunset Drive-In Theater.
The Sunset’s 30th year proved to be its most challenging. A back tax collection issue led to the ozoner failing to get a license to operate in April of 1977. Once that was resolved in early May, the Sunset was back in business. But playing X-rated and R-Rated fare at despite promises to have at least one family feature a month, the Sunset was not a beloved 30-year old member of the community. In December of 1977, that came to a head when the country district attorney ordered troopers to seize the films, “Hot Shots” and “The Double Exposure of Holly” as obscene.
The theater would soldier on, close standing vacant for a period, and then the drive-in land owner would offer the Sunset for the Bill Laston Memorial Park.
E. M. Loew’s Theatre Circuit Inc. of Boston purchased land in 1954 to build the West End Drive-In, to open in late summer at a cost of $200,000 at 1501 Mauch Chunk Rd. Picketers delayed the progress and the theater opened in October of 1954 filling its 1,000 car capacity with another 200 cars accommodated in additional parking area. Allentown’s mayor Brighton C. Diefenderfer cut the ribbon along with E.M. Loew and ozoner manager John J. Scully Jr. No evidence to support late 1940s opening in aerial shots until 1954. The drive-in was demolished and as of the mid-2010s the land was occupied by three car dealers.
Vance W. Haar secured materials from the National Production Authority (NPA) to construct a drive-in and move from traveling film projectionist to s permanent spot. The $100,000 investment was worth it as the 500-car ozoner launched June 18, 1953 with Abbott & Costello’s “Africa Screams” on the big screen. 60 years later, the drive-in was still going, was in the hands of third generation Haar’s, and had a digital conversion. “Grease” is generally the closing feature and sells out the season-ender. A long running antique market and an annual auto show are part of the drive-in’s other attractions.
The Northside Drive-In Theatre opened June 8, 1948 with spaces for 600 cars and open-air seating for another 200 patrons. The first film was “The Shocking Miss Pilgrim.” Jack Jossey and Kroger Babb were among the original operators of the Triangle Drive-In Theatres Company that launched the ozoner with Gene Lacey as season one manager. Its 42' by 31' screen was within the 48' by 48' tower.
In season two, the pair changed the corporation to the Northside Drive-In Theatre Corporation and Jack Dugan was the congenial second-season manager. Generally marketed as simply Drive-In Theatre, and after just two seasons, it was sold to Chakeres Theatres Circuit subsidiary Wilmington Theaters, Inc. The circuit would change the name to the Wilmington Drive-In Theatre for season three. The Northside Drive-In Theatre Corporation would be dissolved during that third season of operation.
The theater had six managers in just its first four seasons. But Queen, the pony, providing free pony rides and Playland installed at the base of the drive-in in opening the fifth season proved to be a winner with kids and families, alike. The theatre had live western star appearances, WLW hosted its Midwestern Hayride TV show once, dish night, fashion night, TV demonstration night, sunrise Easter services, and on it went as the theatre connected with the local audience. A turn to porno chic in the mid 1970s was met with resistance and the theatre turned back to family fare.
Chakeres would run the operation for more than 60 years to its digital conversion as the veteran theatre was still active in the mid-2010s. A truly amazing run for Ohio.
Launched in May of 1949 with 425 car capacity for Armand Bourque. But the theatre made news in 1969 when John Laughlin, Jr. — then manager of the Sky-Ray D-I — was the first person in the state to be charged with violating New Hampshire’s newly crafted pornography rule for showing Russ Meyer’s Vixen. Laughlin was found innocent. The theatre would run another 16 years.
The Harrisburg Drive-In was the first of two Harrisburg area drive-in theaters neither within the city limits. It was followed by the Starlite Drive-In which was closer to Eldorado and Wasson. The Harrisburg Drive-In was just a minute or two outside of the Harrisburg city limits in Pankeyville and launched May 14, 1949.
In December of 1952, the theater closed on weekdays to construct an indoor theater and changing its name very briefly to the Harrisburg Drive-In-Door Theater to try and explain the indoor/outdoor element to patrons. The owners claimed that it was the first indoor/outdoor drive-in in Illinois which may be dubious and certainly the moniker was confusing as the name was quickly reverted to Harrisburg Drive-In Theatre.
The theater showed its first 3D film on August 5, 1953 with “Side Streets of Hollywood.” It may have shown its last 3D shows on July 10, 1954 when it played a well-attended dusk-to-dawn show with 12 films including two lost 1953 anaglyph attractions from Broadway Roadshow Productions in “Bowery Scandals” and “The Cleopatra Follies.” Those who made it to the last feature got free coffee and doughnuts. The 10 cent glasses only worked on two of the features so the investment may have been less than worth it.
Locally involved, the Harrisburg D-I held benefit screenings for the Kiwanis Club, the high school band, and many others as well as sunrise services. But on August 18, 1965, after a showing of Elvis Presley’s “Tickle Me,” it appears to have ended for the Harrisburg Drive-In. August 19, 1965, the theater lists “closed” and advertisements cease. The theater was later demolished and became a farm implement dealer.
Correct date of opening was September 15, 1954 as the Jolly Roger adorned the giant curved screen that featured a 60 foot rocking pirate ship on its tower. Nick George claimed to have installed the first three-channel stereophonic sound north of the Mason-Dixon line using speakers that were invented and used in Texas drive-ins. The innovative theater would also opt for a distinctive gas-fired central heating system to keep patrons warm in the winter months. The theater lasted 36 years and is still greatly missed.
Sol Shocker and his Super Skyway Drive-In Theatre Corporation launched the Super Skyway Drive-In in September of 1954. And it was super with 70' screen, stereo sound, and widescreen presentation including CinemaScope. The 1,000 car space ozoner launched with fireworks, a symphonic live music overture, and the film, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The plans called for ice rink, swimming pool, shuffleboard and horseshoe pitching area, and children’s playground. At the close of the abbreviated 1954 season, Shocker sold out to Manos Enterprises though he would stay in a managerial role at the Super Skyway.
Opened October 18, 1949 with “Take Me Out to the Ballgame. The ozoner was by Joseph Miskinis and Alden Smith. The theater drew so many to its 1,000 plus lot that a Manley Stadium Popcorn popper was purchased and the corn popped in the afternoon to better handle hungry patrons. Because it was two blocks from busy Woodward Avenue, two attraction signs were constructed. The first was in front of the theater on Normandy Road and the other on Woodward announcing features with a permanent sign indicating that the drive-in was two short blocks away. One of many drive-in theatres advertising the “World’s Largest Screen” and at 35,000 square feet, it was no slouch.
The Thunder Bay Drive-In launched on June 28, 1955 using the 100-foot screen for owners Wesley Benac and H.E. Totten. On July 5, 1981, Alice Cooper rocked the Thunder Bay in the ozoner’s most memorable moment. A victim of home video and cable television in the late 1980s, it closed and was demolished in 1993.
The beautiful tower was architected by Ted Rogvoy. Rogvoy created a sister drive-in for Allied Drive-In Management Circuit of Cleveland which operated the Miles at opening with its 1,000 car Ecorse Drive-In in Taylor, Michigan.
Talgar Theatres Circuit launched its Main Street Drive-In Theatre on October 1, 1950. C.L. Clyatt Jr. managed the 700-car facility which had a cafeteria-style concession stand. A seating area for non-drivers was added, as well.
Arkansas' longest highway, Highway 7, runs North-South for the length of the state. Traffic was such that it looked to be a picturesque setting for an ozoner and it was named for the road it adjoined. Opening day for the 7 Drive-In was June 25, 1949 opened by C.W. Jones. Jones claimed that the regular theater seat capacity was 400 and that there were spaces for 400 cars at opening. For a brief time was operated by Gulf States Theatres and final operator appears to be Rosenthal Enterprises.
Referred to as the No. 7 Drive-In in 1954 which is reflected in many sources thereafter, the 7 Drive-In provided decades of service to the area before closing and being torn down. And Highway 7 would face pressure, itself, with drivers preferring US 167 to the east and the second-gen created road, Business US 167 running by the 7 Drive-In. Unphased, the location never waivered from its 3117 address though sometimes as 3117 Highway 7 and other times 3117 North West Ave. Tree overgrowth just beyond the El Dorado Inn (3019 N. West Ave.) puts you on the correct side of the road and just to the north you should be able to find some remnant of the old 7 on old 7. Using Historic Aerials, you’ll see its outline clearly in 1994.
The September 24, 1952 opening was a complete sell-out for both shows as the 300-car drive-in packed them in for circuit Theatre Enterprises based in Des Moines.
In a space architected by Charles Herbert and Associates, Prestige Jewelers and Distributors was the focal point of a shopping center concept known initially as the Daniels Building and then very briefly as the Prestige Mall. Located next to Merle Hay Mall just beyond its Sears store, Davis Theatres launched the Forum IV Theatres on December 18, 1974 with “Godfather II” and “The Gambler.” The lobby was an ancient Roman concept and signage above the doors used roman numerals and the entries has statues and pillars
But in the porno chic era, Davis was known for its XXX theatres and used the Forum IV for the X titles finding success in 1975. In June of 1975, three of the titles at the Forum IV were “The Happy Hooker,” “The Secret of the Sacred Forest,” and “If You Don’t Stop It, I’ll Go Blind.” And on the other screen — with the Plaza down the way with its giant 60' screen and 700 seat auditorium booked with “Benji” — the Forum had as its fourth offering the Steven Spielberg film, “Jaws.” And with it, the Forum got its traction as the film stayed more than six months all the way to Christmas that year and Davis used the Forum to book mainstream films there. But the XXX fare continued at other theaters and the publicly-held Davis was under the mircoscope for its presentations as well as being in a more competitive multiplex environment that it told stockholders it wasn’t equipped to compete in. So it sold out its theatrical operation in 1976 to the Dubinsky Brothers Circuit.
The Forum lost a lot of its dated kitschy feel in a redesign in the 1980s. And though closure is stated above as being in the early 1990s which may be true, I believe the theatre had a 25-year lease which it made it to the end of. (If it closed in the early 1990s, my apologies.) But I believe the theatre was the first to be equipped with DTS sound in Des Moines and — again — it was Spielberg packing the Forum’s largest screen with the opus “Jurassic Park” in 1993 which did monster business for the theatre with the sound leaking to the neighboring screen. Carmike Theatres became the last operator of the theatre and the Forum IV is one of three theatres in and American with Disabilities Act lawsuit against the chain along with the River Hills Twin and the Sierra 3. Rather than retrofit the theatre which was at and of lease, the Forum IV was closed in June of 1998. The theatre was gutted and retrofitted for other retail purposes.
The Melody Drive-In opened July 22, 1949 as a single-screen 500-car screen operated by G.V. Banta, T. Vitello and J. Richard Hand. To celebrate the showing of “The Music Man,” star Forrest Tucker made a two-day personal appearance on Jul 17-18, 1959. The Drive-In continued into the digital projection era.
The 450-seat Franklin Theatre opened at 400 S. Main Street on January 16, 1913 showing motion pictures and operated by John Franklin. John T. White took on the Franklin Building housing the theater, hotel, and restaurant switching the name in September of 1916 to the Savoy Building including the Savoy Theatre. The theatre was closed for a month in July of 1920 for remodeling. In early May of 1928, the Savoy Building was sold and on May 12, 1928, the Savoy Theatre had its final shows likely reaching the end of a 15-year lease. The theatre was gutted and became a Chevy dealer and ends this cinema treasure’s run as Parmyra was getting a newly-created theater nearby. The Savoy Building would also house Lewis Brothers Funeral Home — the second undertaker in the premises — taking over the hotel portion. In the 1970s, the building was razed and became the Palmyra State Bank.
The Pal Theatre launched on May 9, 1928 at 305 S. Main Street with live shows and then had its first motion pictures taking over the Savoy’s bookings just days later. It was housed in the former Best Brothers' Hardware Company building and converted for use as the Pal. In February of 1930, E.H. Wiesner took on the Pal equipping it with sound using Vitaphone. In 1932, James H. “Oscar” Wesley purchased the theater closing it for three months to make improvements including Synchrofilm to replace disc-based sound. He kept the theater until 1951 when Frank Reller of Reller Theatres took on the Pal.
The Pal and the Franklin/Savoy have no connection in terms of their building or address but the Pal did become Palmyra’s Theatre taking over the Savoy’s bookings.
Note: Previous name listed as Savoy Theatre is in error.
Began in July of 1947 as the Sunset Park Auto Theatre. Major improvements led to a grand re-opening as the New Sunset Park Auto Theatre August 24, 1948. In 1950, the theatre changed to its final name of Sunset Drive-In Theater.
The Sunset’s 30th year proved to be its most challenging. A back tax collection issue led to the ozoner failing to get a license to operate in April of 1977. Once that was resolved in early May, the Sunset was back in business. But playing X-rated and R-Rated fare at despite promises to have at least one family feature a month, the Sunset was not a beloved 30-year old member of the community. In December of 1977, that came to a head when the country district attorney ordered troopers to seize the films, “Hot Shots” and “The Double Exposure of Holly” as obscene.
The theater would soldier on, close standing vacant for a period, and then the drive-in land owner would offer the Sunset for the Bill Laston Memorial Park.
E. M. Loew’s Theatre Circuit Inc. of Boston purchased land in 1954 to build the West End Drive-In, to open in late summer at a cost of $200,000 at 1501 Mauch Chunk Rd. Picketers delayed the progress and the theater opened in October of 1954 filling its 1,000 car capacity with another 200 cars accommodated in additional parking area. Allentown’s mayor Brighton C. Diefenderfer cut the ribbon along with E.M. Loew and ozoner manager John J. Scully Jr. No evidence to support late 1940s opening in aerial shots until 1954. The drive-in was demolished and as of the mid-2010s the land was occupied by three car dealers.
Opened July 1954.
Vance W. Haar secured materials from the National Production Authority (NPA) to construct a drive-in and move from traveling film projectionist to s permanent spot. The $100,000 investment was worth it as the 500-car ozoner launched June 18, 1953 with Abbott & Costello’s “Africa Screams” on the big screen. 60 years later, the drive-in was still going, was in the hands of third generation Haar’s, and had a digital conversion. “Grease” is generally the closing feature and sells out the season-ender. A long running antique market and an annual auto show are part of the drive-in’s other attractions.
The Northside Drive-In Theatre opened June 8, 1948 with spaces for 600 cars and open-air seating for another 200 patrons. The first film was “The Shocking Miss Pilgrim.” Jack Jossey and Kroger Babb were among the original operators of the Triangle Drive-In Theatres Company that launched the ozoner with Gene Lacey as season one manager. Its 42' by 31' screen was within the 48' by 48' tower.
In season two, the pair changed the corporation to the Northside Drive-In Theatre Corporation and Jack Dugan was the congenial second-season manager. Generally marketed as simply Drive-In Theatre, and after just two seasons, it was sold to Chakeres Theatres Circuit subsidiary Wilmington Theaters, Inc. The circuit would change the name to the Wilmington Drive-In Theatre for season three. The Northside Drive-In Theatre Corporation would be dissolved during that third season of operation.
The theater had six managers in just its first four seasons. But Queen, the pony, providing free pony rides and Playland installed at the base of the drive-in in opening the fifth season proved to be a winner with kids and families, alike. The theatre had live western star appearances, WLW hosted its Midwestern Hayride TV show once, dish night, fashion night, TV demonstration night, sunrise Easter services, and on it went as the theatre connected with the local audience. A turn to porno chic in the mid 1970s was met with resistance and the theatre turned back to family fare.
Chakeres would run the operation for more than 60 years to its digital conversion as the veteran theatre was still active in the mid-2010s. A truly amazing run for Ohio.
Opened in July of 1953 with both outdoor spaces and an indoor auditorium.
Launched in May of 1949 with 425 car capacity for Armand Bourque. But the theatre made news in 1969 when John Laughlin, Jr. — then manager of the Sky-Ray D-I — was the first person in the state to be charged with violating New Hampshire’s newly crafted pornography rule for showing Russ Meyer’s Vixen. Laughlin was found innocent. The theatre would run another 16 years.
The Harrisburg Drive-In was the first of two Harrisburg area drive-in theaters neither within the city limits. It was followed by the Starlite Drive-In which was closer to Eldorado and Wasson. The Harrisburg Drive-In was just a minute or two outside of the Harrisburg city limits in Pankeyville and launched May 14, 1949.
In December of 1952, the theater closed on weekdays to construct an indoor theater and changing its name very briefly to the Harrisburg Drive-In-Door Theater to try and explain the indoor/outdoor element to patrons. The owners claimed that it was the first indoor/outdoor drive-in in Illinois which may be dubious and certainly the moniker was confusing as the name was quickly reverted to Harrisburg Drive-In Theatre.
The theater showed its first 3D film on August 5, 1953 with “Side Streets of Hollywood.” It may have shown its last 3D shows on July 10, 1954 when it played a well-attended dusk-to-dawn show with 12 films including two lost 1953 anaglyph attractions from Broadway Roadshow Productions in “Bowery Scandals” and “The Cleopatra Follies.” Those who made it to the last feature got free coffee and doughnuts. The 10 cent glasses only worked on two of the features so the investment may have been less than worth it.
Locally involved, the Harrisburg D-I held benefit screenings for the Kiwanis Club, the high school band, and many others as well as sunrise services. But on August 18, 1965, after a showing of Elvis Presley’s “Tickle Me,” it appears to have ended for the Harrisburg Drive-In. August 19, 1965, the theater lists “closed” and advertisements cease. The theater was later demolished and became a farm implement dealer.
Correct date of opening was September 15, 1954 as the Jolly Roger adorned the giant curved screen that featured a 60 foot rocking pirate ship on its tower. Nick George claimed to have installed the first three-channel stereophonic sound north of the Mason-Dixon line using speakers that were invented and used in Texas drive-ins. The innovative theater would also opt for a distinctive gas-fired central heating system to keep patrons warm in the winter months. The theater lasted 36 years and is still greatly missed.
H.S. Cole launched the Bonham Drive-In on July 11, 1950 with John Wayne in the “Three Godfathers” for its grand opening plus fireworks.
Launched for Harold Hirshberg on good luck Friday, August 13, 1954. Would become part of the Boyd Theatre Circuit out of Philadelphia.
Sol Shocker and his Super Skyway Drive-In Theatre Corporation launched the Super Skyway Drive-In in September of 1954. And it was super with 70' screen, stereo sound, and widescreen presentation including CinemaScope. The 1,000 car space ozoner launched with fireworks, a symphonic live music overture, and the film, “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” The plans called for ice rink, swimming pool, shuffleboard and horseshoe pitching area, and children’s playground. At the close of the abbreviated 1954 season, Shocker sold out to Manos Enterprises though he would stay in a managerial role at the Super Skyway.
Opened October 18, 1949 with “Take Me Out to the Ballgame. The ozoner was by Joseph Miskinis and Alden Smith. The theater drew so many to its 1,000 plus lot that a Manley Stadium Popcorn popper was purchased and the corn popped in the afternoon to better handle hungry patrons. Because it was two blocks from busy Woodward Avenue, two attraction signs were constructed. The first was in front of the theater on Normandy Road and the other on Woodward announcing features with a permanent sign indicating that the drive-in was two short blocks away. One of many drive-in theatres advertising the “World’s Largest Screen” and at 35,000 square feet, it was no slouch.
The Thunder Bay Drive-In launched on June 28, 1955 using the 100-foot screen for owners Wesley Benac and H.E. Totten. On July 5, 1981, Alice Cooper rocked the Thunder Bay in the ozoner’s most memorable moment. A victim of home video and cable television in the late 1980s, it closed and was demolished in 1993.
The beautiful tower was architected by Ted Rogvoy. Rogvoy created a sister drive-in for Allied Drive-In Management Circuit of Cleveland which operated the Miles at opening with its 1,000 car Ecorse Drive-In in Taylor, Michigan.
Talgar Theatres Circuit launched its Main Street Drive-In Theatre on October 1, 1950. C.L. Clyatt Jr. managed the 700-car facility which had a cafeteria-style concession stand. A seating area for non-drivers was added, as well.
Arkansas' longest highway, Highway 7, runs North-South for the length of the state. Traffic was such that it looked to be a picturesque setting for an ozoner and it was named for the road it adjoined. Opening day for the 7 Drive-In was June 25, 1949 opened by C.W. Jones. Jones claimed that the regular theater seat capacity was 400 and that there were spaces for 400 cars at opening. For a brief time was operated by Gulf States Theatres and final operator appears to be Rosenthal Enterprises.
Referred to as the No. 7 Drive-In in 1954 which is reflected in many sources thereafter, the 7 Drive-In provided decades of service to the area before closing and being torn down. And Highway 7 would face pressure, itself, with drivers preferring US 167 to the east and the second-gen created road, Business US 167 running by the 7 Drive-In. Unphased, the location never waivered from its 3117 address though sometimes as 3117 Highway 7 and other times 3117 North West Ave. Tree overgrowth just beyond the El Dorado Inn (3019 N. West Ave.) puts you on the correct side of the road and just to the north you should be able to find some remnant of the old 7 on old 7. Using Historic Aerials, you’ll see its outline clearly in 1994.
Opened August 1, 1953
For the 1952 season, the seagull mural was replaced by a mermaid on the Gulf tower.
George M. Peterson architected the Sandusky D-I.
Architect was David Supowitz of Philadelphia.
The September 24, 1952 opening was a complete sell-out for both shows as the 300-car drive-in packed them in for circuit Theatre Enterprises based in Des Moines.