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 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 welcomed southern Indiana moviegoers since 1951. Its neon marquee makes a fitting introduction to an evening beneath the stars. 08-06
Originally a single-screen theater, Georgetown expanded to two screens and added digital projection and FM sound. Some window speakers remain for visitors who prefer the older experience, while playgrounds and the concession stand keep the family tradition going.
UPDATE: Georgetown remains open seasonally with two screens. Its familiar neon continues greeting visitors from southern Indiana and nearby Louisville. 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 sits across from Peninsula State Park in Wisconsin’s Door County. Spend the day exploring the peninsula, then pull in for a movie beneath the stars. Its classic neon marquee makes a fitting welcome to this longtime summer attraction. 12-06
Opened on July 26, 1950, the family-owned theater has retained its single-screen layout and tree-lined setting. Digital projection and FM radio sound handle the modern presentation, while original window speakers in the front rows offer a little of the earlier experience.
Classic intermission cartoons add to the atmosphere, giving visitors another reason to settle in before the next feature. I like that Skyway has kept things familiar rather than trying to reinvent the drive-in. Sometimes a screen, a snack and a comfortable spot in the car are entertainment enough.
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
The Hi-Road Drive-In Theatre north of Kenton was closed for winter when photographed, but improvements were already planned. A replacement screen and illuminated entrance signs promised more activity when warmer weather returned. 06-07
Opened on June 11, 1949, Hi-Road grew from one screen to two, adding digital projection while retaining the relaxed outdoor-movie experience.
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 faded Sunset Drive-In Theatre marquee west of Mansfield still had plenty of roadside appeal. Even weathered lettering could suggest decades of summer movie nights. 02-08
Opened in 1947 as the Mansfield-Galion Drive-In, it became the Sunset in 1953. About 500 cars could gather for a show, and operations continued through 2013. A 2009 windstorm damaged the marquee, but repairs kept it serving through the final seasons.
UPDATE: The marquee disappeared after closure, and the screen tower was demolished in April 2023. The property found another use with Buckeye Barn Salvage. 06-26
Hi-Road Drive-in Theatre
Sunset Drive-in Theatre (Demolished)
