Although there are just 400 drive-in movie theaters left in the country after a peak of about 4,000 five decades ago, the remaining ones are mostly thriving, reports the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Among the survivors cited in the article are the Route 66 Drive-In in Springfield, Ill.; the Skyview Drive-In in Litchfield, Ill.; and the … Continue reading Remaining drive-ins are thriving
Category: Theaters
Bel-Air sign sits waiting — for now
Wally Spiers of the Belleville News-Democrat talks to the owner of the Bel-Air Drive-In sign on old Route 66 near Mitchell, Ill. The drive-in theater has been closed for 20 years, but the marquee still stands. Owner Larry Manns hasn't done much to shore it up, but also he seems reluctant to part with it. … Continue reading Bel-Air sign sits waiting — for now
High winds knock off part of Rialto Theatre sign
Nasty wind gusts Sunday afternoon knocked off part of the decorative scrollwork of the main sign of the Rialto Square Theatre, located on Route 66 in Joliet, Ill., reported the Herald-News. Fortunately, no one was hurt when the sign chunk came crashing down, although an adjacent street was closed. Workers were already busy repairing the … Continue reading High winds knock off part of Rialto Theatre sign
66 Drive-In opens for the season
The Chart, a publication of Missouri Southern University, published a feature about the 66 Drive-In Theater in Carthage, Mo., which began its 2007 season last weekend. (Note: Registration may be required to view the story.) And if you want to cruise out and see a movie there during the weekend, cruise over to the 66 … Continue reading 66 Drive-In opens for the season
Joliet to launch Route 66 campaign
After seemingly much indifference to the Mother Road for years, the city of Joliet, Ill., is embracing Route 66 tourism in a big way when it launches its Joliet Kicks on Route 66 campaign on June 2. According to the Herald-News: The Joliet Area Historical Museum will have a bunch of interactive displays, including watching … Continue reading Joliet to launch Route 66 campaign
Don’t forget the peanut-butter truffles
USA Today's travel staff asked experts from all 50 states what would be a romantic experience in their respective states on Valentine's Day. Here's the entry from Oklahoma: A cruise down Route 66 in the Tulsa area offers a chance for car-noodling spiced with a little kitsch. In the evenings, listen to the ghosts whisper … Continue reading Don’t forget the peanut-butter truffles
Winslow, such a fine sight to see
The New York Times has an excellent article about the rebirth of the Route 66 town of Winslow, Ariz. When my wife and I first visited the town in 2001, it seemed a bit down on its luck. But the story indicates that things are looking up after a long decline. Empty storefronts still dot … Continue reading Winslow, such a fine sight to see
Glenrio, Odeon added to National Register
According to an e-mail from the director of the National Park Service, Glenrio's historic district -- which comprises most of the Route 66 community straddling the border between Texas and New Mexico -- was added to the National Register of Historic Places on Jan. 17. Glenrio's location in two states (and two counties) at … Continue reading Glenrio, Odeon added to National Register
Grant will finish Coleman Theatre restoration
Those who've traveled the Mother Road know that the restoration of the historic Coleman Theatre Beautiful in Miami, Okla., has been ongoing for years. That restoration is one big step closer to being complete because of a $250,000 grant, theater director Barbara Smith told the Joplin (Mo.) Globe. "The grant will complete the balcony project, … Continue reading Grant will finish Coleman Theatre restoration
66 Drive-In included in theater travel guide
The 66 Drive-In on old Route 66 in Carthage, Mo., is one of more than 60 historic theaters listed in the book, "Cinemental Journeys," by Mike and Vicki Walker. The book is a travel guide to classic movie theaters in Missouri, Kansas, Iowa and Nebraska. The photo of the 66 Drive-In seen above is from … Continue reading 66 Drive-In included in theater travel guide