Some more info on the famous concert held here. Rock Group KISS, along with Savoy Brown, played the Sundowner Drive-In for an unique rare concert, late on the night of June 2, 1974. The show didn’t start until 11PM, but was still in daylight due to the Alaskan summer. A stage was built directly in front of the drive-in’s screen. Reportedly 3,000+ people were in attendance. 4 people were arrested at the show, due to rowdiness and intoxication, typical of that era. A rare photograph has been uploaded of them playing in daylight despite it being so late into the night.
This was called the 78 Drive-In as it was located just a bit south off of Highway 78. The Google Satellite view from above still clearly shows the outline of the drive-in and rows, despite being closed over 30 years ago. A church known as Grants Chapel CME Church sits on the site about where the concession/projection building was. The sign for the church can be seen off the side road known as Cordova Cut Off Rd. It looks more modern, built after the drive in was demolished, but it appears closed, as there is no signs of an active business on the site listed on google, nor when looked up under the listing of CME churches online. A couple of google images were uploaded to show the current state of the site.
The Mall Theatre actually closed in 1987, not 1985. I remember it well as one of the last movies it showed was Nightmare On Elm Street 3 Dream Warriors in Winter of 1987. After sitting empty for a bit it was converted into an Arcade / Pool Hall known as Ace Arcade. They left the “A” from MALL on the Marquee. It subsequently closed around 2006 and the building has since been demolished and is an empty parking lot.
Multiple photos uploaded, by a photographer named Dave Page who explored the site in 2006. Shows the state of the site 24 years after closing. In the mid 2010’s, the entire site was completely demolished and cleared, with the exception of the skeletal remains of a billboard sign that stood near where the screen was. The land was sold in 2006, yet has never been developed for anything, leading one to wonder why they bothered the expense of demolishing the site after so many years of sitting abandoned.
As of December 2024, Maple Valley Truss Co is out of business and the property is listed as up for sale. The screen appears to still be standing, as of a 2024 google view, but it’s condition is undetermined.
As of 2024, Google Satellite and street view show the ticket booth, concession and screen have all been completely demolished. Only thing remains is the general outline and indicator of the ramps.
To clarify, the Mustang was originally called the Sunset Drive-In. It’s been in the same location its entire existence. The reference to Belmont, Ontario is correct as that was the small town it was part of until London, Ontario annexed and absorbed it.
The Northside hosted a rock music festival on May 18, 1974, featuring such acts as RUSH, Dr John, Liverpool, the Skyhooks and The New York Dolls (who appeared but were not listed on the poster). A picture has been uploaded with the Festival’s Ad Poster. Terrible weather ruined the experience and resulted in very poor attendance.
“Mysteriously” burnt down in the middle of the night one summer evening in July 1991. Remember it well. Ironically, the current movie being shown during that week was “Backdraft” about fires.
They claimed they would rebuild the screen and re-open but they never did. Sat abandoned only for a short period of time. Today, it’s been completely developed. The back part of where the drive in was is where the Lowe’s parking lot is and the front part is a bit of field with a condo building to the left.
Faint outline of the site and entrance/exit roads are still there.
A large Quick Trip Gas Station and Convenience Store occupies the site, with no traces of any kind of the drive-in left.
A plaza and storage business occupy the site, with no traces of the drive-in remaining.
Outline and faint remnants of ramps can still be seen by satellite view. An Arizona Autism Charter School sits on a portion of the property.
Some more info on the famous concert held here. Rock Group KISS, along with Savoy Brown, played the Sundowner Drive-In for an unique rare concert, late on the night of June 2, 1974. The show didn’t start until 11PM, but was still in daylight due to the Alaskan summer. A stage was built directly in front of the drive-in’s screen. Reportedly 3,000+ people were in attendance. 4 people were arrested at the show, due to rowdiness and intoxication, typical of that era. A rare photograph has been uploaded of them playing in daylight despite it being so late into the night.
Multiple restaurants and other businesses along with a large parking lot occupy the site and no traces of the drive-in remain.
With the large car dealership on site, and other adjoining businesses, there is no trace of the drive-in left.
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot! Between the large asphalt parking lot and mall stores, no trace of the original drive-in remains.
Trucking and food company occupies the area. No traces of original drive in on the site.
Marquee/Sign still sits out front. There is a mailbox at the road and appears to be an actively used house on the property towards the back?
Center Point Shopping Center sits on the entire site now. They paved and built over every aspect, leaving no trace of the drive-in left.
This was called the 78 Drive-In as it was located just a bit south off of Highway 78. The Google Satellite view from above still clearly shows the outline of the drive-in and rows, despite being closed over 30 years ago. A church known as Grants Chapel CME Church sits on the site about where the concession/projection building was. The sign for the church can be seen off the side road known as Cordova Cut Off Rd. It looks more modern, built after the drive in was demolished, but it appears closed, as there is no signs of an active business on the site listed on google, nor when looked up under the listing of CME churches online. A couple of google images were uploaded to show the current state of the site.
The Mall Theatre actually closed in 1987, not 1985. I remember it well as one of the last movies it showed was Nightmare On Elm Street 3 Dream Warriors in Winter of 1987. After sitting empty for a bit it was converted into an Arcade / Pool Hall known as Ace Arcade. They left the “A” from MALL on the Marquee. It subsequently closed around 2006 and the building has since been demolished and is an empty parking lot.
Multiple photos uploaded, by a photographer named Dave Page who explored the site in 2006. Shows the state of the site 24 years after closing. In the mid 2010’s, the entire site was completely demolished and cleared, with the exception of the skeletal remains of a billboard sign that stood near where the screen was. The land was sold in 2006, yet has never been developed for anything, leading one to wonder why they bothered the expense of demolishing the site after so many years of sitting abandoned.
As of December 2024, Maple Valley Truss Co is out of business and the property is listed as up for sale. The screen appears to still be standing, as of a 2024 google view, but it’s condition is undetermined.
As of 2024, Google Satellite and street view show the ticket booth, concession and screen have all been completely demolished. Only thing remains is the general outline and indicator of the ramps.
To clarify, the Mustang was originally called the Sunset Drive-In. It’s been in the same location its entire existence. The reference to Belmont, Ontario is correct as that was the small town it was part of until London, Ontario annexed and absorbed it.
The Northside hosted a rock music festival on May 18, 1974, featuring such acts as RUSH, Dr John, Liverpool, the Skyhooks and The New York Dolls (who appeared but were not listed on the poster). A picture has been uploaded with the Festival’s Ad Poster. Terrible weather ruined the experience and resulted in very poor attendance.
“Mysteriously” burnt down in the middle of the night one summer evening in July 1991. Remember it well. Ironically, the current movie being shown during that week was “Backdraft” about fires. They claimed they would rebuild the screen and re-open but they never did. Sat abandoned only for a short period of time. Today, it’s been completely developed. The back part of where the drive in was is where the Lowe’s parking lot is and the front part is a bit of field with a condo building to the left.
This ad is clearly for drive-in’s in Calgary, Canada not Columbus, Ohio.