French Village Drive-in Theater (Demolished)
St Louis, MO Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
I stumbled across the French Village Drive-in Theater by chance in 2000, and it was one of those discoveries you never forget. The faded marquee stood quietly beside the abandoned entrance, instantly transporting you back to a time when long lines of cars once waited to get in. Even after years of sitting empty, the place still had an incredible sense of nostalgia. 11-20
The drive-in actually stood just across the Mississippi River in East St. Louis, Illinois, where it opened on July 3, 1942. Originally known as the East St. Louis Drive-In, it was the first drive-in theater in the greater St. Louis area. Its Art Deco styling made it especially distinctive, and unlike most drive-ins, the massive screen structure was designed to double as a stage for live performances, complete with dressing rooms and backstage areas.
The theater closed in 1992 and remained abandoned until demolition began in 2005. Fortunately, the story didn't end there. The iconic neon marquee—with its distinctive artist's palette and paintbrush—was rescued before demolition and placed into storage by the St. Louis Building Arts Foundation. Hopefully one day it will be restored and displayed once again.
UPDATE: The French Village Drive-In Theatre was demolished in 2005, and the property has since been redeveloped. The historic marquee was saved and remains in storage awaiting restoration. 06-26
Georgetown Drive-in Theatre
Georgetown, IN Photo courtesy Rosalind Causey
The Georgetown Drive-in Theatre has been lighting up southern Indiana since 1951, and its beautiful neon marquee is still one of the first things you'll notice as you pull in. It's a classic piece of roadside Americana and a fitting welcome to one of the area's last remaining drive-ins. 08-06
Originally opened as a single-screen theater, the Georgetown later expanded to two screens, giving moviegoers more choices each weekend. Like many surviving drive-ins, it has embraced modern technology with digital projection and FM radio sound while still preserving a few of the original window speakers for those who want to experience movies the old-fashioned way.
The theater has also held onto the family atmosphere that made drive-ins so popular in the first place. Two playgrounds sit in front of the screens for kids, while the concession stand continues serving movie favorites. It's easy to see why the Georgetown has remained a summertime tradition for generations and continues to draw visitors from both Indiana and nearby Louisville.
UPDATE: The Georgetown Drive-In Theatre remains open seasonally with two screens. Its neon marquee continues to welcome moviegoers, making it the last surviving drive-in in the immediate Floyd and Clark County area. 06-26
Georgetown Drive-in Theatre
Georgetown, IN Photo courtesy Rosalind Causey
Georgetown Drive-in Theatre inside the lot
Georgetown, IN Photo courtesy Rosalind Causey
Skyway Drive-in Theatre
Fish Creek, WI Photo and info courtesy D. Randy Riggs
The Skyway Drive-in Theatre has been entertaining moviegoers in Wisconsin's Door County since 1950, and it's easy to see why it has become such a local landmark. Sitting directly across from Peninsula State Park, it's one of those places where you can spend the day exploring the peninsula before settling in for a movie under the stars. Thanks to D. Randy Riggs for sharing these photos and information. 12-06
The Skyway opened on July 26, 1950, and holds the distinction of being Wisconsin's longest continuously operating drive-in theater. Still family owned after more than seven decades, it remains a single-screen theater that has carefully balanced modern technology with its mid-century roots. Digital projection and FM radio provide a crisp presentation, while the front rows still offer original window speakers for anyone wanting the authentic drive-in experience.
One thing I really like is that the Skyway has stayed true to the atmosphere that made drive-ins special. The tree-lined setting, family-friendly movies, and classic intermission cartoons all add to the experience. It's not trying to reinvent the drive-in—it's simply preserving what made it great in the first place.
UPDATE: The Skyway Drive-In Theatre remains open seasonally and continues its remarkable run as Wisconsin's longest continuously operating drive-in. Its classic neon marquee still welcomes moviegoers to one of the state's best-preserved outdoor theaters. 06-26
Hi-Road Drive-in Theatre
Kenton, OH Photo courtesy Richard Weiss
Just north of Kenton sits the Hi-Road Drive-In Theatre, one of Ohio's longtime survivors. When this photo was taken, the theater was closed for the winter, but it was easy to tell the owners were committed to keeping it going. At the time, they were planning improvements that included a larger screen to replace one lost to a windstorm years earlier, along with new illuminated entrance signs. 06-07
The Hi-Road officially opened on June 11, 1949, and has grown from a single-screen theater into a twin-screen drive-in. Like many successful drive-ins, it has continued to modernize over the years with digital projection while maintaining the relaxed atmosphere that keeps families coming back each summer.
The improvements envisioned back in 2007 eventually became a reality. The theater now features two screens, upgraded projection systems, and ongoing renovations that continue to keep the property in excellent condition. Even the historic marquee is receiving a careful restoration, helping ensure this familiar roadside landmark will continue welcoming moviegoers for years to come.
UPDATE: The Hi-Road Drive-in added a new Screen 2 to their theater back at the start of the 2012 drive-in movie season. Many thanks to David Hughes for update. 07-13
UPDATE: The Hi-Road Drive-In Theatre remains open seasonally with two screens and continues to invest in preserving and improving the property, including restoration of its historic roadside marquee. 06-26
Sunset Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
Mansfield, OH Photo and info courtesy Terry Darakis
The Sunset Drive-In Theatre sat just west of Mansfield with a faded marquee that hinted at decades of movie memories. Even weathered by time, the sign still had plenty of character and made a great roadside stop for anyone exploring the area. 02-08
The drive-in originally opened in 1947 as the Mansfield-Galion Drive-In before being renamed the Sunset Drive-In in 1953. With room for about 500 cars, it entertained generations of moviegoers and remained in operation until the end of the 2013 season. Although the marquee suffered heavy damage during a windstorm in 2009, it was repaired well enough to continue serving the theater through its final years.
After the drive-in closed, the property found a very different use as the home of Buckeye Barn Salvage. For nearly a decade, the giant steel screen tower continued standing as a familiar landmark, almost as if it were still waiting for the next movie to begin. That finally came to an end in April 2023 when the screen was demolished to make way for new development on the property.
UPDATE: The Sunset Drive-In Theatre is gone. The marquee was removed after the theater closed in 2013, and the long-standing screen tower was finally demolished in 2023. The property is now part of a commercial salvage operation. 06-26
Hi-Road Drive-in Theatre
Sunset Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
