Cahokia Drive-In
850 Water Street,
Cahokia,
IL
62206
850 Water Street,
Cahokia,
IL
62206
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Futura Drive-In
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This 1960’s-era drive in was located on Route 3 in the town of Cahokia, near the historic Cahokia Mounds site. It was notable for its marquee, which featured a dancing Indian in neon lights. The Futura Drive-In was opened on May 1, 1964 with Tom Tryon in “The Cardinal” & Frank Sinatra in “The Devil at Four O'Clock”. By 1981 it had been renamed Cahokia Drive-In.
Long ago closed, whatever remained of Cahokia Drive-In was lost when Interstate 255 was built through the property. The only remnant of the drive-in is the marquee frame, now advertising a nearby auto repair shop.
Contributed by
Bryan
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
The Futura Drive-In was on Route 3 in Cahokia. I remember it being built in the mid-1960’s and it closed probably around 1980. The rather plain marquee is still there (now retagged Futura Plaza, I believe), and some kind of business is on the property.
The Cahokia Drive-In was on Route 15 in Alorton, IL, just east of where the old Cahokia Downs Racetrack was. It was the one with the dancing neon Indian marquee. The Cahokia was closed around 1980 to make way for the construction of I-255. I drove by after the demolition to see the grand old marquee rolled up into a twisted mess of metal, wire, and neon tubes. A real shame it wasn’t preserved.
The Futura was renamed in 1979 the Cahokia South Drive-In. This happened after the Cahokia Drive-In in Alorton had closed.
I remember this differently. We called it “ the thunderbird”. It had a fantastic neon marque with wings flapping. I don’t remember it being an Indian in bird costume. It was not on route 15, as mentioned. Best movie marque around. I don’t remember a drivein east of racetrack on route 15. I wander if that one is confused with the old French village drivein on st Clair avenue to the north. I wish someone could post picture of thinderbird marque. It was bicultural before mid fifties when I first went there as a child.
A more accurate address for this theater is 850 Water St, Cahokia, IL 62206. This points directly to the entrance road.
Please update.
Posted an Ad from July 21, 1981
This opened as the Futura Drive-In on May 1st, 1964. Grand opening ad posted.