Family Drive-In
813 E. Belvidere Road,
Grayslake,
IL
60030
813 E. Belvidere Road,
Grayslake,
IL
60030
4 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Firms: Arthur Swanson & Associates
Previous Names: Grayslake Outdoor Theatre, Family Outdoor Theatre
Nearby Theaters
Opened in 1948, the Grayslake Outdoor Theatre could accommodate 800 cars. It was located along Highway 120 East at Route 83. In the early-1950’s it was renamed Family Outdoor Theatre. By 1955 it had been renamed Family Drive-In. It operated for half a century before closing in 1998. It was razed a year later, and replaced by a strip mall.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
As a kid growing up, this is the Drive-In that we frequented most and it was sad to have it close. I remember bringing brown paper bags of homemade buttery popcorn there and coolers filled with Kool-Aid – aaahhhh, “the good ole days”. One of my favorite movies viewed there: “Dirty Larry, Crazy Mary”.
This theatre was built by my grandfather, Frederick Dobe. He also owned the Dobe Tree Farm, which is now the Arbor Vista subdivision.
The bottom photo shows the drive-in in 1990:
http://tinyurl.com/35j493
Here is a June 1982 ad from the Daily Herald:
http://tinyurl.com/qsc8xm
This drive in was located at approximately 813 E. Belvidere Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030. The entrance was where Dunkin Donuts is now located. Please update.
I lived in Grayslake from 1975 to 1985, I was 9 to 18 years old. Our family went to this drive in regularly during the summer, it was magical. We would go in the station wagon and Dad would park backwards, open the tailgate and my lil'sister and I would lay on our pillows and eat popcorn we brought from home and drink Pepsi from glass bottles with our parents sitting in lawn chairs beside us. Had my first make out session with my first girlfriend there when I was 16, and then my first boyfriend a year later. Magical time!
Years ago I went to Volo Car museum with my family and drive by a drive-in down the street. I have reason to believe this is that drive-in, am I correct?
In The Early 1950s It Was Named Family Outdoor Theatre Before Changing Its Name To Family Drive-In In 1955.
The Original Screen Before CinemaScope Is 45x60 Ft.
The October 2, 1948 issue of Boxoffice said that the Family Outdoor Theatre recently opened near Grayslake had been designed by architects Arthur Swanson and Associates.