Tower Drive-In

E. Bird Street at N. Florida Avenue,
Tampa, FL 33604

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Floyd Theaters

Architects: A.M. Watson

Nearby Theaters

Tower Drive-In entrance, 1952

Named after the Sulphur Springs water tower, a local landmark, this drive-in was located on the Hillsboroough River and opened October 22, 1952 with David Wayne in “Wait ‘til the Sun Shines, Nellie” & George Montgomery in “Dakota Lil”. By 1957 the Tower Drive-In was operated by Floyd Theaters.

The theater was leveled in 1985 in anticipation for an apartment complex that never materialized. The ramps, driveway, assorted debris, and outline of the property remain, however. The site has since been purchased by the City of Tampa as part of its Sulphur Springs riverfront park. The water tower still stands, as well, and is visible for miles.

Contributed by Andy

Recent comments (view all 69 comments)

tampapix
tampapix on January 13, 2013 at 8:06 am

Sorry, meant to include that the Shakey’s radio ad is from 1966, when it just opened.

Juan1941
Juan1941 on January 13, 2013 at 8:40 am

Thanks, tampapix. I moved from Sulphur Springs to near downtown Tampa in 1964, so the 1966 opening explains why I didn’t remember it.

redjayd
redjayd on March 8, 2016 at 10:03 am

My Grandmother (Lois McLeod) ran the Tower Drive Inn in the 70’s. I worked the concession and climb up on the marquee to add movie titles. She has since passed. She was a strong and hard working woman. Even after getting robbed and hit in the head one night at the ticket booth.

Mikeoaklandpark
Mikeoaklandpark on August 2, 2017 at 10:06 am

I hated this drive in like all Floyd theaters. They wanted the screen full all the time so any movie in scope would be off to the sides of the screen in the bushes.

rivest266
rivest266 on September 30, 2017 at 8:31 am

This opened on October 22nd, 1952. Grand opening ad with aerial in the photo section and below

Found on Newspapers.com

airboss
airboss on April 1, 2019 at 5:07 pm

I used to work there. I remember the robbery.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on April 28, 2021 at 5:39 pm

Boxoffice, April 4, 1960: “A unit of Floyd Theatres, the Tower Drive-In at Tampa, was forced to close temporarily when flood waters filled the outdoorer’s grounds”

airboss
airboss on August 8, 2022 at 5:39 pm

I worked there in the mid seventies. Helped Mike in the projection booth and worked the concession stand. Hazel Byrd worked there along with Lois.

davidcoppock
davidcoppock on August 9, 2022 at 2:40 am

When did it close?

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