Starlite Drive-In
34 Tunnel Road,
Asheville,
NC
28805
34 Tunnel Road,
Asheville,
NC
28805
2 people
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Opened with “Blackbeard the pirate”, “Salome, when she danced” and “Allegheny uprising”.
Did they ever add a new scope screen?
Ticket stub added courtesy of Jennifer Smith Carter‎.
This opened on May 14th, 1953. Grand opening ad in the photo section
Indeed, was exactly where you all indicate. I saw my first drive in here — Billy Jack. I must have been 7 or 8 when my mom took me and my brother to see that film. Of course, she didn’t know what it was about and was really disappointed that she’d taken us to it (the ONE nudity scene, you know, where the young Indian gets out of bed with Bernard and walks out of the scene … you see her butt). Anyway, I have loved that movie since, and still do. Will never forget the Starlight. Now, it’s an expressway.
That stretch of I-240 was not started until 1977. I believe the drive-in closed around that time along with several other businesses on that side of Tunnel Road. It was a great piece of Americana, hate to see it gone.
Approx. address for this drive-in was 34 Tunnel Road.
Thanks Billnix It helps.
If my memory searves me right, the Starlite was located on Tunnel Road just to the left as you came out of the tunnel from town. This was US70. The sign sat close to the road and you had to drive back a distance to get to the ticket booth. Today there is a Cracker Barrel and several other restaurants on the property. The open cut also took much of the property. Hope this helps.
I found it was on Highway 1, but I can’t find a Highway 1 in Asheville??
Open 1955-1985?
Open for sure in 1967.
Sure could use an address, more info and photos.
Any help would be great on the Starlite Drive-in.Wish I knew where it was located.