There were actually two fires that happened at the Shawnee Drive-In. Compared to both fires, the first fire was worse than the second.
On August 1, 1955, its manager, 63-year-old Edwin M. Gardner of nearby Mission, who is also a father of one and a former Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer exploitation man, died at the Shawnee Drive-In after being trapped in his own office when a fire broke out, caused by faulty wiring in its air conditioning system. Firefighters ruled his death as suffocation. Durwood Theaters, its operator at the time, didn’t rule out the estimate damage cost.
On July 7, 1964, most of the concession stand was destroyed by a fire, with the exception of its projection booth which escaped the flames. The fire was caused by a short circuit after the wiring of an freezer that stores ice cream apparently shorted. Fayetteville firefighters managed to extinguish the flames within an hour after arrival.
During a double feature of “Cactus Flower” and “MacKenna’s Gold” on April 15, 1970, many heads turned to the concession stand after a fire broke out there, damaging the kitchen.
The fire caused by short circuit in an electric range which led flames to quickly spread to an adjacent French fryer and then ductwork. The projection booth was not damaged at all but was only affected by smoke. The projection continued running throughout the show without incident.
Construction of the Lakeland began on May 1, 1949, and was originally scheduled to be finished by July 15, but moved to September 16 for its completion because of unforeseen hindrances and prolonging difficulties.
The Kmart at the drive-in’s site opened on March 21, 1988, later expanded, and closed in 2002. Dunham’s Sports, JoAnn (now closed and abandoned because of Joann’s bankruptcy) and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet now occupy the former drive-in/Kmart space.
The River Park closed for the final time on June 8, 1987 with “Walk Like A Man”. It also had its last weekend matinee the previous day with Walt Disney’s “The Aristocats”. It was last operated by the RR Entertainment Group, who also operated the nearby Forum Cinema I-II-III and Mishawaka’s 100 Center Cinema.
Once operated by ABC Great States Theatres and finally Plitt Theatres. The State Theatre closed as a movie theater on November 3, 1977 with “A Piece Of The Action”.
The Palace actually closed as a movie theater on July 7, 1959 with “The World, The Flesh, and The Devil” along with the Droopy cartoon “Mutts About Racing” and an unidentified undersea featurette.
The former Palace reopened as a civic center a few months later on October 15, 1959 as the Morris Performing Arts Center, reopening with live performances by June Christy and the Four Freshmen.
Now closed. June 2023 and November 2025 Google Street Views shows that the marquee reading “CLOSED” in both sides, meaning that this may’ve closed in either late-2022 or early-2023, and still abandoned to this day.
According to information prior to its closure, the Indie Cinema last screened first-run films with a mix of special events at rare occasions, including concerts and live performances.
There were actually two fires that happened at the Shawnee Drive-In. Compared to both fires, the first fire was worse than the second.
On August 1, 1955, its manager, 63-year-old Edwin M. Gardner of nearby Mission, who is also a father of one and a former Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer exploitation man, died at the Shawnee Drive-In after being trapped in his own office when a fire broke out, caused by faulty wiring in its air conditioning system. Firefighters ruled his death as suffocation. Durwood Theaters, its operator at the time, didn’t rule out the estimate damage cost.
The fire actually happened on November 21, 1961, not 1962.
On July 7, 1964, most of the concession stand was destroyed by a fire, with the exception of its projection booth which escaped the flames. The fire was caused by a short circuit after the wiring of an freezer that stores ice cream apparently shorted. Fayetteville firefighters managed to extinguish the flames within an hour after arrival.
During a double feature of “Cactus Flower” and “MacKenna’s Gold” on April 15, 1970, many heads turned to the concession stand after a fire broke out there, damaging the kitchen.
The fire caused by short circuit in an electric range which led flames to quickly spread to an adjacent French fryer and then ductwork. The projection booth was not damaged at all but was only affected by smoke. The projection continued running throughout the show without incident.
Actually, newspaper showtimes confirmed that the Hoyts Waterville was still operating while it was placed on sale until closing on September 2, 2002.
The Walmart Supercenter at the theater’s site opened on March 5, 2008.
Most likely opened on December 27, 1996.
Closed on September 28, 1986.
No, its still a triplex.
Construction of the Lakeland began on May 1, 1949, and was originally scheduled to be finished by July 15, but moved to September 16 for its completion because of unforeseen hindrances and prolonging difficulties.
The Kmart at the drive-in’s site opened on March 21, 1988, later expanded, and closed in 2002. Dunham’s Sports, JoAnn (now closed and abandoned because of Joann’s bankruptcy) and Ollie’s Bargain Outlet now occupy the former drive-in/Kmart space.
This actually opened in late-1909. A December 1909 article listed the theater as the New Brokaw Theatre.
Closed on April 15, 1999.
Actually, this is March 17, 1995.
Actual closing date is April 6, 1999.
The River Park closed for the final time on June 8, 1987 with “Walk Like A Man”. It also had its last weekend matinee the previous day with Walt Disney’s “The Aristocats”. It was last operated by the RR Entertainment Group, who also operated the nearby Forum Cinema I-II-III and Mishawaka’s 100 Center Cinema.
This actually reopened after the 1990 fire, and closed on August 26, 1994.
Once operated by ABC Great States Theatres and finally Plitt Theatres. The State Theatre closed as a movie theater on November 3, 1977 with “A Piece Of The Action”.
Closed on May 16, 1971 with “Ryan’s Daughter”. The Granada was last operated by ABC Great States Theatres, and was demolished on July 6, 1971.
The Palace actually closed as a movie theater on July 7, 1959 with “The World, The Flesh, and The Devil” along with the Droopy cartoon “Mutts About Racing” and an unidentified undersea featurette.
The former Palace reopened as a civic center a few months later on October 15, 1959 as the Morris Performing Arts Center, reopening with live performances by June Christy and the Four Freshmen.
Closed on September 11, 1983 with “War Games” and “The Beastmaster”.
Quadrupled on June 7, 1987.
Now closed. June 2023 and November 2025 Google Street Views shows that the marquee reading “CLOSED” in both sides, meaning that this may’ve closed in either late-2022 or early-2023, and still abandoned to this day.
According to information prior to its closure, the Indie Cinema last screened first-run films with a mix of special events at rare occasions, including concerts and live performances.
August 7, 1985
Actual opening date is August 10, 1984.
Correction: This opened on November 18, 1976, not 1970, on site of a former bowling alley called the Omiya Hata Bowling Center.