Photo added & description courtesy Robert Historian Roberson.
“The Valley Street Drive-In was Dayton’s first drive-in theater opened at 2700 Valley St on May 1, 1942. The Drive-In Theater about 700 cars could be accommodated. Lawn chairs set up near the screen could hold about 300 walk-in patrons. Early birds could dance to music on a large terrazzo floor just in front of the screen. The sound for the movies came from a large central speaker which was essentially a bullhorn. Later named Dayton East Drive-In the theater’s final season was in 1982 which the land sat vacant for just about two decades until late 90’s Holland Trucking Company purchase the land for there new location on Valley St.”
Address was 201 Main Street, S/E corner of 2nd Avenue and Main Street.
Owned and operated by Sam McLimon, who also operated the Capitol Theatre at 3rd Avenue & Main Street.
A Starbucks is on the Whitehorse Theatre site today.
Address was 301 Main Street, the S/E corner of 3rd Avenue & Main Street.
Owned and operated by Sam McLimon, who also operated the Whitehorse Theatre located on the S/E corner of Main & 2nd Avenue.
The North Star was “the most elaborate, ultra modern drive-in theatre you have ever laid eyes on” according to the theater’s grand opening ad. Architect Robert Stevens designed the 1,050 car capacity drive-in to offer the very best that was available at the time of its opening on April 18, 1956.
The North Star’s projection room was designed with an all glass front so that patrons of the theater could view the projectors and RCA sound equipment. High powered Dyn Arc Projection lamps enabled the theater to show CinemaScope, Superscope and Vistavision films on its 100 foot wide screen. Fifty foot wide entrance and exit lanes allowed plenty of room between cars, while the four lane, 500 foot long entrance ramp insured that there would be no traffic problems. Each speaker post was lit so that you could easily find a parking space.
The refreshment building included a 70 foot ‘U’ shaped, all stainless steel cafeteria. A separate hot bar served chicken, pizza, hamburgers and other taste thrills. Finding your way back to the car was made easier by the ‘Simulated Moonlite’ lampposts that illuminated the parking lot.
John Parker, one of the owners and manager of the North Star, was famous for his showmanship and imagination when it came to drawing patrons to the drive-in. In 1976 two dozen people lined up at the theater to be ‘buried alive’ and remain in a casket six feet underground, without food or water, over the Halloween weekend.
“I have been utterly amazed how many have applied,” Parker said at the time.
Dayton Daily News columnist Dale Huffman took the opportunity to interview some of the applicants.
April Wyatt, then 18 years old, wrote in big letters on her application ‘Very much interested’.
“It’s just something different,” she explained. “It sounds neat. I can tell everyone that I meet the rest of my life, ‘Hey, back in 1976 I was buried alive’.”
Vondol Moore claimed to have previous experience, having been buried alive once before in Texas in 1965.
“I would hate a life that is ho-hum. A person must do something a little bit exciting, different and dangerous once in awhile. I mean, if you never take any chances you have a dull existence.”
William (The Amazing) Shaner was hired to manage the promotion. Shaner, who, with his wife Sandy, owns the Abracadabra Costumes and Jewelry Boutique on East Fifth Street in Dayton, remembers how important it was to choose the right person for the stunt.
“The person I selected had to be in good health all the way around, both physically and mentally fit. I also had to make sure they weren’t claustrophobic.”
Fifteen year old Dave Schock, from Lewisburg, Ohio was picked for the stunt. Shaner placed the young man in a trance before putting him in the coffin, which was then lowered into a six foot hole.
“The worst part is the sound of hearing the dirt hitting the coffin. That was the main reason for the hypnosis,” says Shaner.
An eight inch tube ran from the coffin to above the ground.
“People coming through the line, they cold look down there and get spooked out. They cold laugh and joke with the person who was buried.”
Two days in the ground was nothing compared to a stunt Shaner pulled at a county fair.
“I once buried my oldest son, Steve, for thirteen days at the Hillsboro County Fair. He had a CB in his coffin and truckers came from all around to see the crazy guy.”
North Star’s final season was in 1985. A shopping center, with a Kroger’s Sav-On as the key store, is now located on the site.
Address is 44 Cottage Street. Peruvian Link clothing store is in the building today, which is still standing. 1929 photo added credit Bar Harbor Historical Society. So it was still open then. It was closed prior to 1958, when the facade was removed (photo added) and building converted into a bowling alley by Ben Cough, who lived above it. It was later converted by Mort Sachsman into the Yankee Peddler clothing store. Pearl Wescott played the piano for silent films at the Star when Joseph Emory ran it. George C. McKay later owned both the Star and Criterion Theatres.
I removed the photo that belonged to the 66 Drive-In in Springfield Illinois. Thanks for pointing it out.
I wish CT had a way of notifying us when comments get added beneath photos. I found on that had been responded to 10 years ago…
Is there a current link for the THSA/Explore Chicago photo?
I posted the Chicago Past photo in case that 2012 link goes dead. Also two photos from Lake View Historical, used on their book “Images of America ” Lake View cover.
My gut tells me the address was 111 West Benton Street, where UMB Bank stands today. I base this on scrolling around the current street view, the smaller building behind where the theatre stood, and the shadows for the side of the street it was on. Plus the age of the other buildings on corners where it could have not been.
1939 photo added courtesy Springfield, 413 Then and Now Facebook page.
December 1948 photo added courtesy Springfield, 413 Then and Now Facebook page.
Update: Photo credit Lee Angle.
Owned and operated by the Court family, owners of Court Theatre as well.
May 16, 1974 print ad as East End Two added courtesy Peter Norrish.
Jam Productions downloadable coloring book of the Vic and other theatres.
https://www.jamusa.com/coloringbook/?utm_source=Chicago+–+Jam+Mail+List&utm_campaign=b5807b82ef-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_01_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1cddcb52a5-b5807b82ef-247204449&mc_cid=b5807b82ef&mc_eid=2a384cf67a
Jam Productions downloadable coloring book of the Riviera and other theatres.
https://www.jamusa.com/coloringbook/?utm_source=Chicago+–+Jam+Mail+List&utm_campaign=b5807b82ef-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_01_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1cddcb52a5-b5807b82ef-247204449&mc_cid=b5807b82ef&mc_eid=2a384cf67a
Jam Productions downloadable coloring book of the Park West and other theatres.
https://www.jamusa.com/coloringbook/?utm_source=Chicago+–+Jam+Mail+List&utm_campaign=b5807b82ef-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_08_01_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1cddcb52a5-b5807b82ef-247204449&mc_cid=b5807b82ef&mc_eid=2a384cf67a
Photo added & description courtesy Robert Historian Roberson.
“The Valley Street Drive-In was Dayton’s first drive-in theater opened at 2700 Valley St on May 1, 1942. The Drive-In Theater about 700 cars could be accommodated. Lawn chairs set up near the screen could hold about 300 walk-in patrons. Early birds could dance to music on a large terrazzo floor just in front of the screen. The sound for the movies came from a large central speaker which was essentially a bullhorn. Later named Dayton East Drive-In the theater’s final season was in 1982 which the land sat vacant for just about two decades until late 90’s Holland Trucking Company purchase the land for there new location on Valley St.”
Unfortunate news that it will not be able to reopen May 1st as planned, as the State reversed course after giving them the go-ahead.
https://patch.com/illinois/crystallake/course-reversed-theater-opening-im-literally-beside-myself?fbclid=IwAR0ek7kgWLowNkSBO_ZbyZrQh2EQNYGUkfFj8o2xqP5s-GYMN7EX5u14t6o
Address was 201 Main Street, S/E corner of 2nd Avenue and Main Street. Owned and operated by Sam McLimon, who also operated the Capitol Theatre at 3rd Avenue & Main Street. A Starbucks is on the Whitehorse Theatre site today.
Address was 301 Main Street, the S/E corner of 3rd Avenue & Main Street. Owned and operated by Sam McLimon, who also operated the Whitehorse Theatre located on the S/E corner of Main & 2nd Avenue.
Photo as Lyric Theatre added, courtesy Donny Jenkins.
Full history credit Dayton History Books Online.
North Star Drive-In Theatre
The North Star was “the most elaborate, ultra modern drive-in theatre you have ever laid eyes on” according to the theater’s grand opening ad. Architect Robert Stevens designed the 1,050 car capacity drive-in to offer the very best that was available at the time of its opening on April 18, 1956. The North Star’s projection room was designed with an all glass front so that patrons of the theater could view the projectors and RCA sound equipment. High powered Dyn Arc Projection lamps enabled the theater to show CinemaScope, Superscope and Vistavision films on its 100 foot wide screen. Fifty foot wide entrance and exit lanes allowed plenty of room between cars, while the four lane, 500 foot long entrance ramp insured that there would be no traffic problems. Each speaker post was lit so that you could easily find a parking space. The refreshment building included a 70 foot ‘U’ shaped, all stainless steel cafeteria. A separate hot bar served chicken, pizza, hamburgers and other taste thrills. Finding your way back to the car was made easier by the ‘Simulated Moonlite’ lampposts that illuminated the parking lot. John Parker, one of the owners and manager of the North Star, was famous for his showmanship and imagination when it came to drawing patrons to the drive-in. In 1976 two dozen people lined up at the theater to be ‘buried alive’ and remain in a casket six feet underground, without food or water, over the Halloween weekend. “I have been utterly amazed how many have applied,” Parker said at the time. Dayton Daily News columnist Dale Huffman took the opportunity to interview some of the applicants. April Wyatt, then 18 years old, wrote in big letters on her application ‘Very much interested’. “It’s just something different,” she explained. “It sounds neat. I can tell everyone that I meet the rest of my life, ‘Hey, back in 1976 I was buried alive’.” Vondol Moore claimed to have previous experience, having been buried alive once before in Texas in 1965. “I would hate a life that is ho-hum. A person must do something a little bit exciting, different and dangerous once in awhile. I mean, if you never take any chances you have a dull existence.” William (The Amazing) Shaner was hired to manage the promotion. Shaner, who, with his wife Sandy, owns the Abracadabra Costumes and Jewelry Boutique on East Fifth Street in Dayton, remembers how important it was to choose the right person for the stunt. “The person I selected had to be in good health all the way around, both physically and mentally fit. I also had to make sure they weren’t claustrophobic.” Fifteen year old Dave Schock, from Lewisburg, Ohio was picked for the stunt. Shaner placed the young man in a trance before putting him in the coffin, which was then lowered into a six foot hole. “The worst part is the sound of hearing the dirt hitting the coffin. That was the main reason for the hypnosis,” says Shaner. An eight inch tube ran from the coffin to above the ground. “People coming through the line, they cold look down there and get spooked out. They cold laugh and joke with the person who was buried.” Two days in the ground was nothing compared to a stunt Shaner pulled at a county fair. “I once buried my oldest son, Steve, for thirteen days at the Hillsboro County Fair. He had a CB in his coffin and truckers came from all around to see the crazy guy.” North Star’s final season was in 1985. A shopping center, with a Kroger’s Sav-On as the key store, is now located on the site.
Photo of facade and marquee added courtesy Mike Anderson.
Address is 44 Cottage Street. Peruvian Link clothing store is in the building today, which is still standing. 1929 photo added credit Bar Harbor Historical Society. So it was still open then. It was closed prior to 1958, when the facade was removed (photo added) and building converted into a bowling alley by Ben Cough, who lived above it. It was later converted by Mort Sachsman into the Yankee Peddler clothing store. Pearl Wescott played the piano for silent films at the Star when Joseph Emory ran it. George C. McKay later owned both the Star and Criterion Theatres.
Photo added courtesy Robert Davis.
George C. McKay at one time owned both the Criterion & Star Theatres in Bar Harbor. 1934 program added courtesy Ed Dillon.
Update:
https://www.nwitimes.com/news/former-crown-theatre-manager-to-pay-279k-to-investors-judge-rules/article_8fc2325e-62fe-5955-be2f-db07ea23807e.html?utm_source=NWITimes&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=Latest+News&fbclid=IwAR0bd8pk4tv8TAAQXq0rrPc3gmTps68-b2FxsCSi-OMzx22lmpG7Ol56F6k
Liberty Theatre and neighboring Columbia Hotel were demolished in 1960.
Brackett’s Market is on this site today, current address is 185 Front Street.
I removed the photo that belonged to the 66 Drive-In in Springfield Illinois. Thanks for pointing it out. I wish CT had a way of notifying us when comments get added beneath photos. I found on that had been responded to 10 years ago…
Is there a current link for the THSA/Explore Chicago photo? I posted the Chicago Past photo in case that 2012 link goes dead. Also two photos from Lake View Historical, used on their book “Images of America ” Lake View cover.
This is December 1983 not `81.
My gut tells me the address was 111 West Benton Street, where UMB Bank stands today.
I base this on scrolling around the current street view, the smaller building behind where the theatre stood, and the shadows for the side of the street it was on.
Plus the age of the other buildings on corners where it could have not been.