Travel down Foothill Boulevard and your met with a large glimmering red neon sign. Yes, you've just come across the Azusa Foothill Drive-in Theatre on Route 66. And a single-screener to boot, a rarity in this day and age.
The Azusa Foothill Drive-in Theatre opened in December 1961 with a double feature showing of Babes in Toyland and Misty. The drive-in was opened up by Pacific Drive-ins and Edwards Theatres.
Well, these days, single screen drive-ins on Route 66 have become even more of a rarity. The Azusa Foothill, the last operating drive-in on the Mother Road west of the Mississippi, closed down in 2001 after being purchased by the neighboring Azusa Pacific University (APU).
Azusa Foothill Screen tower Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Despite objections raised by APU and the city, the California Historical Resources Commission in 2002 declared the drive-in as eligible for inclusion on the State Register of Historical Resources.
On October 28, 2005, the Azusa's screen tower came tumbling down. This after the concession stand and speaker poles had been torn out to make way for a parking lot. With the screen tower went any hope of the drive-in opening again.
Azusa Foothill Drive-in Marquee Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
According to APU officials, the marquee will be restored to its neon glory. However, Southern California and Route 66 has lost another landmark drive-in to the bulldozer.
The dirt mound where the screen once stood Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The screen tower used to be on the left of the marquee Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
The space where the screen tower used to be Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
UPDATE 02/07 : All that's left of this drive-in is the marquee. Painting has been going on, though the word is the neon will not be replaced. 02-07
UPDATE 06/07 : Here's a more recent shot of the Foothill marquee taken in early June 2007. 06-07
Azusa Foothill Drive-in Marquee Photo courtesy Chris & Ginger
Travel down Foothill Boulevard and your met with a large glimmering red neon sign. Yes, you've just come across the Azusa Foothill Drive-in Theatre on Route 66. And a single-screener to boot, a rarity in this day and age.
Azusa Foothill Screen tower
On October 28, 2005, the Azusa's screen tower came tumbling down. This after the concession stand and speaker poles had been torn out to make way for a parking lot. With the screen tower went any hope of the drive-in opening again.
