Boulevard Drive-In

556 Union Boulevard,
Allentown, PA 18109

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Milgram Theaters, United Artists Theater Circuit Inc.

Architects: William Harold Lee

Nearby Theaters

2014

Opened October 19 1949 with “Three Little Girls in Blue” & “The Westerner”, the Boulevard Drive-In was located on Union Boulevard in Allentown, not far from Walp’s Restaurant. It had a great location, with a steep hillside parking lot so the views were really unobstructed, and some radio towers nearby that had neon call letters on them (I think WAEB?).

Back in the 1960’s and 1970’s there was minimal development behind the theater so you’d be looking out over a bit of suburbia, and it was just a nice local drive-in.

I remember going there for the last time around 1981. It was closed by United Artists in 1985. The whole area nearby has now been developed.

Contributed by LS

Recent comments (view all 9 comments)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on December 31, 2006 at 2:01 am

The Boulevard was built in 1949 and accommodated 900 cars, according to this lawsuit:
http://tinyurl.com/yl392x

melbatoast60
melbatoast60 on July 16, 2007 at 12:54 pm

This was a true gem. The large screen faced Union blvd. and one could see the film while driving by. Yes, it was the WAEB towers that could be seen from the drive in. I recall going to this drive in as late as the summer of 1984. (double feature…Breakin' and Beat Street!)

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on December 27, 2009 at 12:15 am

Using the address of 556 Union Boulevard, this is an aerial view circa 2007:
http://tinyurl.com/yacd4ld

Dave Harding
Dave Harding on February 12, 2013 at 10:02 pm

Here is an update on the status of this Drive-In.

http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-alentown-classic-car-driving-track-20130212,0,1464771.story

bwmoll3
bwmoll3 on July 30, 2013 at 3:36 pm

WAEB was on the tower behind the drive-in. I used to work there when I was in High School when the station was on Fenwick Street.

When I would get off work during the summer, It was easy to sneak in by walking in the exit, going to the concession stand, buy something to eat and sit in one of the back rows on the ground and listen on a speaker.

bluestreak81
bluestreak81 on August 23, 2016 at 1:35 am

The screen is still in place. It almost looks like it was purposefully kept as part of the new driving track.

rivest266
rivest266 on April 23, 2017 at 10:09 pm

Grand opening ad in the photo section as well as below:

Found on Newspapers.com

rivest266
rivest266 on April 23, 2017 at 10:21 pm

Opening date was October 19th, 1949

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on June 8, 2023 at 9:31 pm

Closed in 1985. It was last operated by United Artists and last managed by Ron Johnson.

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