Kanopolis Drive-In
804 N. Kansas Street,
Kanopolis,
KS
67454
804 N. Kansas Street,
Kanopolis,
KS
67454
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Sounds like Frank Dodson bought out Commonwealth’s share in 1956. From the June 2, 1956 Motion Picture Herald: “Frank Dodson of Ellsworth, Kan., has purchased the interest of his partner, the Commonwealth Theatres, Inc., of Kansas City, Mo., in the Bell theatre and the Kanapolis (sic) drive-in theatre in Ellsworth, to become sole owner.”
Then four years later, from the Feb. 22, 1960 BoxOffice: “Frank Dodson, owner of the Bell Theater at Ellsworth and Kanapolis (sic) Drive-In at Kanapolis, Kas., has leased these properties to Thomas Miller, an Ellsworth businessman, who indicates that he plans to operate both of the situations.”
Here is the website: http://www.kanopolisdrivein.com/
The monster Rama was a lot of fun. Thanks for mentioning it! The drive in is doing well, people are supporting it and it remains a great place for families to come and enjoy a movie or two.
From salina.com
Josh Webb is quick to say “no comment” when asked if he took dates to Kanopolis Drive-In. While growing up in the eastern Ellsworth County town, he was a frequent visitor to the iconic outdoor movie theater, but that was years before he met his wife, Amanda. She was reared in Wichita. Starting May 6, the Webbs, with 2-year-old daughter Brooklyn, will moonlight – literally – at the historic drive-in, which hasn’t shown a movie since 2006. The couple bought Kanopolis Drive-In last October. After some power washing, coats of paint, a new roof for the ticket hut, fencing and some general repairs, a special source of nighttime entertainment is set for reincarnation in the town of roughly 500 people. The drive-in was a mainstay in Kanopolis since 1952, but closed in 2006. “I always wanted to see it re-open,” said Josh, 30. His day job is superintendent of the Ellsworth Municipal Golf Course. “The years are starting to add up, and we didn’t want to see it fall down any more than it was,” he said. Many have shared special memories of the drive-in at the northwest corner of town, said Amanda Webb, 31, who works as office manager for Dr. Mark Herzog, in Ellsworth. “We didn’t want the drive-in to just sit there. It was deteriorating,” Amanda said. “Josh was really passionate about it, so we decided to go for it.”
My wife and I attended the “Halloween Horror Monster-Rama” at the Kanopolis Drive-In on October 20, 2012. There was a nice sized crowd for this event, and watching all of those old horror movies was a lot of fun. It’s nice to know that this place is still in business.
The drive in can hold 165 cars, not the 740 listed here! :)
thanks Josh.
RE-OPENING IN MAY 2011!!!
Thanks Joel for the Sad update.
I was at this drive in back in August of 2009 and it has been closed for some time. There were a lot of weeds growing on the lot. I did not walk through because the gates were still pad locked. It is my understanding the the current owners have a huge asking price for the drive in, but that information may also be in error.
At one time this venue was as neat as a pin. There were no weeds on the lot and a very well run establishment. A lot of theatre owners could take a lesson from the pride on display here, but unfortunately like so many of the theatres on this web site, I am fear full that the Kanopolis Drive In is now apart of our memories.
Great pictures Kevin.I looked up in my 1956 MOTION PICTURE ALMANAC for the Kanopolis Drive-in and it was not listed.
And finally, some photos – from 2006, including the projection booth:
http://travel.webshots.com/album/570817272PTZXVO
Just found this little history of the Kanopolis Drive-In – written by either owner Irene or perhaps her sister?
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I spent a few minutes visiting with owner Irene Pacey in Kanapolis this weekend. I had spotted the screen while driving through town, and she and her husband were nearby – Irene’s mother, recently deceased, lived across the street from the theater.
Irene’s father built the Kanopolis Drive-In and opened it in 1952. The family had run the theater every year since then until around 2006, when health issues left them no choice but to temporarily close. While the theater is still closed, Irene says all the projection equipment is intact and ready to roll.
A hailstorm broke fences and damaged the screen, but Irene – a retired nurse and city council member in nearby Ellsworth – would like to re-open. Here’s hoping that can happen. The drive-in is in good shape, and it would undoubtably be a local attraction – it was open for over fifty years!
One note: unless my powers of estimation are really off, there’s little chance you could get 740 cars into the Kanopolis. The lot doesn’t look nearly that big.
Here is my picture of the Kanopolis Drive-In
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