Have a news tip for us?
Just email . Ideas for stories, links to interesting articles, and press releases are welcome.
Drive-ins in WNY/NW PA/Triad Area (NC) that have gone dark
posted by
photographz
on
March 27, 2008 at 9:48 am
My husband and I have begun a project of photographing certain places that are currently abandoned and hence, in danger of being demolished (either by man or nature). We will be adding these images to our website as we find them. Among the structures we are interested in are Drive-ins that have gone dark.
While combing the listings here is helpful, we have found some listed as “closed” include comments stating they are also demolished. We will also be including open drive ins, motels (from the “neon era”), etc but are putting a priority on properties that might not be there soon. I am hoping that people here can point us towards some good prospects. We have already located and photographed the Grandview in Angola, NY and the Van Buren in Dunkirk, NY and are aware of the Transit (in Lockport) and Sunset (in Middleport). Names, locations, any information that would help us locate more would be appreciated!
Comments (7)
Growing up in Southern Ontario, I recall commercials during the mid 70’s on Channel 29 (Buffalo/Grand Island) for the Como 6 Drive-in.
All I recall is that it’s in WNY somewhere.
Davester35
Offhand the only Como theater(s) that I recall in WNY was in the Como Mall. The mall became an office park, renamed Appletree Mall. I believe that the theaters may have survived at least for a time and may have kept the Como name. It wasn’t a drive-in though. I have no idea if the mall and/or the theaters exists today.
Not too far distant from the Como Mall was the three screen Buffalo Drive-in on Harlem Road in Cheektowaga. Sadly it closed in the past year and was demolished. The land was cleared for development.
The Rockland Drive-In on rt.59 in Monsey, New York-the awesome maquee is still there and the gigantic screen.
The Batavia Drive-in on Rt.5 in Batavia,NY was still standing in the late 80’s.
There were 3 drive-ins in Niagara County,the Starlite,Auto Vue, and Boulevard but they were demolished.
Some shots I’ve taken in upstate NY are here.
There is a great one in Pottsville PA That is still in decent shape (The screen is there) Also there is another one in Port Jervis NY
I had two friends in Flordia that videotaped quite a few closed Drive-ins in Flordia.Got on the back roads and had a ball.