From what I’ve found, the owners declared bankruptcy in the middle of 1954 with the drive-in being sold off at the end of the year. Didn’t last long at all.
This was never called “drive-in”, It opened as the St. Croix Valley Drive-In Theatre on August 15, 1953 with “The Life of Will Rogers” aka “The Story of Will Rogers”.
Interestingly, it appears a drive-in at the same location opened in April 1949. This was reported in the Tabor City Tribune on 30th March, 1949:
“The drive-in theater at Finklea crossroads will open Friday night, April 1. Two shows will be presented every night except Sunday, beginning at 7:30. The new theater is owned by H V. Hewett and O.L. Coleman of Tabor City, who also are owners of the Conway Drive-In Theater.”
So it appears it was either damaged and rebuilt and/or renovated around 1950-51.
There looks to have been a drive-in under construction at the major intersection at Finklea in a 1951 aerial photo, I’m not sure on what address to give though.
Found it, the address is 68 South Terrace, Penola SA 5277. The bio-box (projection building) appears to still exist, the concession building may still exist. The screen foundation and ramp markings can also still be seen.
The opening date seems a bit iffy, however if that was correct then the opening films were “White Feather” and “The Warriors” (Errol Flynn).
It looks like this was open as early as 1947.
Opened as the Highland Drive-In Theater on March 27, 1948 with “Stallion Road”.
Opened in June, 1953.
From what I’ve found, the owners declared bankruptcy in the middle of 1954 with the drive-in being sold off at the end of the year. Didn’t last long at all.
Opened June 26, 1953.
Was actually open as early as March 1950.
Opened on July 29, 1950.
Opened on August 5th, 1949.
Appears to have opened in August 1953.
Opened with “Paradise, Hawaiian Style”.
I’m thinking it was one of those temporary setups, since they didn’t even have in-car speakers, so the land was probably sold and built upon.
This may have originally been called Waterford West Drive-In.
I also can’t find any trace, newspaper ads said it was west of the fairground (the oval with a running track around it).
This was open as early as 1955, it’s present in an aerial photo from that year.
The formatting of the name was “Bar-T Drive-In”
Opened prior to 1967 and closed sometime in the 90’s.
This was still operating in 1995.
This was never called “drive-in”, It opened as the St. Croix Valley Drive-In Theatre on August 15, 1953 with “The Life of Will Rogers” aka “The Story of Will Rogers”.
Interestingly, it appears a drive-in at the same location opened in April 1949. This was reported in the Tabor City Tribune on 30th March, 1949:
“The drive-in theater at Finklea crossroads will open Friday night, April 1. Two shows will be presented every night except Sunday, beginning at 7:30. The new theater is owned by H V. Hewett and O.L. Coleman of Tabor City, who also are owners of the Conway Drive-In Theater.”
So it appears it was either damaged and rebuilt and/or renovated around 1950-51.
Operated by Papuan Skyline Drive-In Theatres Limited. Also they held a liquor licence, presumably for the restaurant.
There looks to have been a drive-in under construction at the major intersection at Finklea in a 1951 aerial photo, I’m not sure on what address to give though.
Approximate address is 36 Loudon St.
Needs to be updated to demolished, the entire site has now been cleared.
Found it, the address is 68 South Terrace, Penola SA 5277. The bio-box (projection building) appears to still exist, the concession building may still exist. The screen foundation and ramp markings can also still be seen.