Scratch the location I mentioned above! I got my corners completely mixed up. The Rainbow Gardens triplex was actually in the NORTHEAST corner of 48 and Lincoln Way, not northwest. The amusement park and pool were on the corner with the drive-in at the eastern end alongside Lincoln Way. The site is now occupied by Oak Park Mall.
I misinterpreted the aerial shots I have of the park/pool/drive-in. My apologies for this rather big goof, but I guess that happens sometimes when such drive-ins are strategically placed.
Despite recent construction of a connector for the PA 43 Turnpike route as well as a new stretch of U.S. 40, this thankfully has not affected the drive-in as far as location, although said bowling alley (Gudac Lanes) and other buildings across the way were razed.
The new U.S. 40 connector runs east of the drive-in to the intersection (where an overpass once stood) near JCT PA 166. The Brownsville can be clearly seen from this new road. The old U.S. 40 segment of National Rd. where the drive-in stands has been renamed Business U.S. 40.
This was the theater where KTRM Radio DJ Jape “The Big Bopper” Richardson set the record for on-air DJing: 122 hours and 8 minutes, playing a total of 1,821 records! That was in May 1957; the following year, he struck gold with a little ditty he wrote and recorded called “Chantilly Lace”.
I just drove past the Twin Hi-Way this morning. The 2008 season has just ended, but a SECOND screen is being added and should be up by next season, thus giving the name of the drive-in a double meaning (# of screens and the original dual U.S. Route designation of the legendary Lincoln Highway it proudly stands on)
You are right, Rick. The Belle Aire was owned by the Warren family who also ran the Blue Dell, Greater Pittsburgh, Rose, Super 30 and South Hills Drive-Ins.
I think the Belle Aire was placed behind the Blue Dell Pool, which was right next to the Blue Dell Drive-In. Joe Warren, who now runs the Evergreen Drive-In in nearby Mount Pleasant, shows us where it was in the WQED documentary “Stuff That’s Gone”
Just obtained some information from a community library near the area where this drive-in was. Opening date of the Family D-I was May 20, 1948. Located four miles east of New Kensington on Leechburg Rd./former PA 56. I believe the Family closed in the early 70’s (will try to confirm the actual date soon). Today, the drive-in (½ mile off the current PA 56 route) is occupied by abandoned buildings that housed Montgomery Ward and J.C. Penney.
There are two excellent photos of the Ardmore Drive-In marquee in the local book about Forest Hills as part of the “Images Of America” series. The marquee stood at the corner of Ardmore (U.S. 30) and Yost Boulevards. One photo is a closeup, the other shows the marquee in front of the town’s original roller skating rink (which is also gone). Unfortunately, there are no photos of the drive-in itself.
When I found out that this drive-in was closing, I immediately made plans to make the 150+ mile trip to visit. And I’m sure glad I did! Great 3-screener with one of the most excellent snack bars I have ever seen! So hard to accept that another fine outdoor theater now belongs to the ages. Hopefully, the screens will not be sold for scrap (since they are in excellent shape) and go to other drive-in owners who are looking to expand or maybe even open new drive-ins.
If I recall correctly, the marquee, adjacent to the Elliot Rd. turnoff on PA 51, was a reddish color with COLONIAL in vertical letters and a white curved arrow.
Does anybody know if there is a marker or a sign on the site where Mr. Hollingstead’s creation once stood? If not, it would definitely make an excellent 75th anniversary gift next June 6.
July 3 was actually an unofficial trial reopening as I found out that night, but with over 100 cars there, I thought it was successful. It was great seeing the Twin Hi-Way back in action for the first time since its last season in 1996. They are open daily now, and the official grand reopening date will be advertised in the local newspaper soon.
GRAND RE-OPENING JULY 3!!! The features are “Surf’s Up” and “Spider Man 3”. Of course, I will be there good and early so that I can give a full report to my friends from the (defunct) Drive-In Theater Fan Club. Hope to see a big crowd there!
The last of the trio of drive-ins along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51 to open (May 29, 1959), it was also the last one to close, its final night of operation on July 31, 1988. This was one of many Pittsburgh area drive-in theaters owned by the family of Marty Warren, the others including Blue Dell, Belle-Aire, Greater Pittsburgh, Rose, and Super 30.
Located on top of a hill in the small borough of Large (no pun intended), the Echo opened on July 3, 1955. It was the second of three drive-ins located along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51, preceded by the Colonial five years earlier and followed by the South Hills four years later. The Echo closed at the end of the 1985 season, the first of the trio to close for good.
This was the first of the trio of drive-ins along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51, opening on May 26, 1950 (The Echo came five years later, followed four years later by the South Hills). Last night of operation (based on newspaper listings) was on September 6, 1987. The possibilty of bringing back the Colonial is no more since the land is now being dug up for new houses.
Although now owned by Carmike, it still bears the name CINEMA WORLD SOUTHLAND 9. Relocated from its original location in front of Century III Mall (where Toys ‘R’ Us stands) to down the road behind Southland Shopping Center (previously occupied by Wesley’s Bowling Lanes)
Opened in 1955 (not sure of the exact date at this time). This drive-in was located on the “back route” to Kennywood Park. The badly deteriorated screen is still standing as well as several speaker poles. The ticket booth was torn down a few years ago. The Pittsburgh Yellow and White Pages listed this as the “Woodland Drive-In” for years after it stopped showing movies. The flea market was discontinued a few years ago. The site is still used for auto auctions, first by MAG Auto Auction, now by Copart.
I just drove past the Twin Hi-Way this morning; they just started giving the back of the screen a fresh paint job. Hopefully, they will keep the lettering the same as they did with the marquee. Also, I think the pavillion and sand volleyball court that was built in front of the screen a few years ago have been razed, I’m not sure. I’m still waiting anxiously for word on the grand reopening date; both side of the marquee still say REOPENING SPRING 2007 at this point.
If you want genuine drive-in nostalgia, the Kane Road Drive-In is the place to go! 98% of the lot still has speakers, including the classic round Motiographs! Two separate signs out on the road include the marquee with Coca-Cola logo and ENTRANCE sign with classic Sprite logo. Snack bar includes three 40’s style candy machines. The drive-in itself is on a reverse incline with playground in front of the screen. Located in a residential area, across from an elementary school. Owned by Steve Gray. Used to have flea markets, but apparently have been discontinued since the words FLEA MARKET are covered on both side of the sign at the Kane Road turnoff on PA 151.
The Kenmawr Drive-In was a favorite of pop singer Lou Christie, who lived in nearby Glenwillard. He used to mention this one during between-song banter, usually before “Rhapsody In The Rain”.
That is one of the coolest names for a moviehouse: Cameraphone. There’s a great photo of this theater in the local book “Pittsburgh: Then & Now”. I believe its last year was 1967, I’m not sure. If I can pinpoint the last day of operation in my continuing research on Pittsburgh theaters, I’ll post it.
Opened as Lakevue Drive-In on August 30, 1950. It was renamed Mt. Lebanon/Lakevue the following year, then finally Mt. Lebanon. Final night of operation was August 2, 1987.
Opened May 22, 1953. Closed at the end of the 1987 season. When the Parkway North stretch of I-279 opened two years later, the two screens and ticket booth were still standing, visible from the Camp Horne Rd. interchange. All hopes of resurrecting the Camp Horne Drive-In were dashed once Giant Eagle and Home Depot bought the land several years later.
Opened July 2, 1949. One of many Pittsburgh area drive-ins to close after the 1986 season. Located in Kennedy Township at Coraopolis & Fleming Park Rds. (PA 51). Stanford Courts housing development now occupies the Kenmawr Drive-In site.
Scratch the location I mentioned above! I got my corners completely mixed up. The Rainbow Gardens triplex was actually in the NORTHEAST corner of 48 and Lincoln Way, not northwest. The amusement park and pool were on the corner with the drive-in at the eastern end alongside Lincoln Way. The site is now occupied by Oak Park Mall.
I misinterpreted the aerial shots I have of the park/pool/drive-in. My apologies for this rather big goof, but I guess that happens sometimes when such drive-ins are strategically placed.
Despite recent construction of a connector for the PA 43 Turnpike route as well as a new stretch of U.S. 40, this thankfully has not affected the drive-in as far as location, although said bowling alley (Gudac Lanes) and other buildings across the way were razed.
The new U.S. 40 connector runs east of the drive-in to the intersection (where an overpass once stood) near JCT PA 166. The Brownsville can be clearly seen from this new road. The old U.S. 40 segment of National Rd. where the drive-in stands has been renamed Business U.S. 40.
I drove past the Twin-Hi Way this morning and saw that the second screen is now in place.
This was the theater where KTRM Radio DJ Jape “The Big Bopper” Richardson set the record for on-air DJing: 122 hours and 8 minutes, playing a total of 1,821 records! That was in May 1957; the following year, he struck gold with a little ditty he wrote and recorded called “Chantilly Lace”.
I just drove past the Twin Hi-Way this morning. The 2008 season has just ended, but a SECOND screen is being added and should be up by next season, thus giving the name of the drive-in a double meaning (# of screens and the original dual U.S. Route designation of the legendary Lincoln Highway it proudly stands on)
You are right, Rick. The Belle Aire was owned by the Warren family who also ran the Blue Dell, Greater Pittsburgh, Rose, Super 30 and South Hills Drive-Ins.
I think the Belle Aire was placed behind the Blue Dell Pool, which was right next to the Blue Dell Drive-In. Joe Warren, who now runs the Evergreen Drive-In in nearby Mount Pleasant, shows us where it was in the WQED documentary “Stuff That’s Gone”
Just obtained some information from a community library near the area where this drive-in was. Opening date of the Family D-I was May 20, 1948. Located four miles east of New Kensington on Leechburg Rd./former PA 56. I believe the Family closed in the early 70’s (will try to confirm the actual date soon). Today, the drive-in (½ mile off the current PA 56 route) is occupied by abandoned buildings that housed Montgomery Ward and J.C. Penney.
There are two excellent photos of the Ardmore Drive-In marquee in the local book about Forest Hills as part of the “Images Of America” series. The marquee stood at the corner of Ardmore (U.S. 30) and Yost Boulevards. One photo is a closeup, the other shows the marquee in front of the town’s original roller skating rink (which is also gone). Unfortunately, there are no photos of the drive-in itself.
When I found out that this drive-in was closing, I immediately made plans to make the 150+ mile trip to visit. And I’m sure glad I did! Great 3-screener with one of the most excellent snack bars I have ever seen! So hard to accept that another fine outdoor theater now belongs to the ages. Hopefully, the screens will not be sold for scrap (since they are in excellent shape) and go to other drive-in owners who are looking to expand or maybe even open new drive-ins.
If I recall correctly, the marquee, adjacent to the Elliot Rd. turnoff on PA 51, was a reddish color with COLONIAL in vertical letters and a white curved arrow.
Does anybody know if there is a marker or a sign on the site where Mr. Hollingstead’s creation once stood? If not, it would definitely make an excellent 75th anniversary gift next June 6.
July 3 was actually an unofficial trial reopening as I found out that night, but with over 100 cars there, I thought it was successful. It was great seeing the Twin Hi-Way back in action for the first time since its last season in 1996. They are open daily now, and the official grand reopening date will be advertised in the local newspaper soon.
GRAND RE-OPENING JULY 3!!! The features are “Surf’s Up” and “Spider Man 3”. Of course, I will be there good and early so that I can give a full report to my friends from the (defunct) Drive-In Theater Fan Club. Hope to see a big crowd there!
The last of the trio of drive-ins along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51 to open (May 29, 1959), it was also the last one to close, its final night of operation on July 31, 1988. This was one of many Pittsburgh area drive-in theaters owned by the family of Marty Warren, the others including Blue Dell, Belle-Aire, Greater Pittsburgh, Rose, and Super 30.
Located on top of a hill in the small borough of Large (no pun intended), the Echo opened on July 3, 1955. It was the second of three drive-ins located along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51, preceded by the Colonial five years earlier and followed by the South Hills four years later. The Echo closed at the end of the 1985 season, the first of the trio to close for good.
This was the first of the trio of drive-ins along the Pleasant Hills/Jefferson Hills stretch of PA 51, opening on May 26, 1950 (The Echo came five years later, followed four years later by the South Hills). Last night of operation (based on newspaper listings) was on September 6, 1987. The possibilty of bringing back the Colonial is no more since the land is now being dug up for new houses.
Although now owned by Carmike, it still bears the name CINEMA WORLD SOUTHLAND 9. Relocated from its original location in front of Century III Mall (where Toys ‘R’ Us stands) to down the road behind Southland Shopping Center (previously occupied by Wesley’s Bowling Lanes)
Opened in 1955 (not sure of the exact date at this time). This drive-in was located on the “back route” to Kennywood Park. The badly deteriorated screen is still standing as well as several speaker poles. The ticket booth was torn down a few years ago. The Pittsburgh Yellow and White Pages listed this as the “Woodland Drive-In” for years after it stopped showing movies. The flea market was discontinued a few years ago. The site is still used for auto auctions, first by MAG Auto Auction, now by Copart.
I just drove past the Twin Hi-Way this morning; they just started giving the back of the screen a fresh paint job. Hopefully, they will keep the lettering the same as they did with the marquee. Also, I think the pavillion and sand volleyball court that was built in front of the screen a few years ago have been razed, I’m not sure. I’m still waiting anxiously for word on the grand reopening date; both side of the marquee still say REOPENING SPRING 2007 at this point.
If you want genuine drive-in nostalgia, the Kane Road Drive-In is the place to go! 98% of the lot still has speakers, including the classic round Motiographs! Two separate signs out on the road include the marquee with Coca-Cola logo and ENTRANCE sign with classic Sprite logo. Snack bar includes three 40’s style candy machines. The drive-in itself is on a reverse incline with playground in front of the screen. Located in a residential area, across from an elementary school. Owned by Steve Gray. Used to have flea markets, but apparently have been discontinued since the words FLEA MARKET are covered on both side of the sign at the Kane Road turnoff on PA 151.
The Kenmawr Drive-In was a favorite of pop singer Lou Christie, who lived in nearby Glenwillard. He used to mention this one during between-song banter, usually before “Rhapsody In The Rain”.
That is one of the coolest names for a moviehouse: Cameraphone. There’s a great photo of this theater in the local book “Pittsburgh: Then & Now”. I believe its last year was 1967, I’m not sure. If I can pinpoint the last day of operation in my continuing research on Pittsburgh theaters, I’ll post it.
Opened as Lakevue Drive-In on August 30, 1950. It was renamed Mt. Lebanon/Lakevue the following year, then finally Mt. Lebanon. Final night of operation was August 2, 1987.
Opened May 22, 1953. Closed at the end of the 1987 season. When the Parkway North stretch of I-279 opened two years later, the two screens and ticket booth were still standing, visible from the Camp Horne Rd. interchange. All hopes of resurrecting the Camp Horne Drive-In were dashed once Giant Eagle and Home Depot bought the land several years later.
Opened July 2, 1949. One of many Pittsburgh area drive-ins to close after the 1986 season. Located in Kennedy Township at Coraopolis & Fleming Park Rds. (PA 51). Stanford Courts housing development now occupies the Kenmawr Drive-In site.