Quinebaug Drive-In
784 Connecticut 131,
Thompson,
CT
06262
784 Connecticut 131,
Thompson,
CT
06262
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Was a small drive-in located on Route 131, immediately before the Massachusetts state line. It was opened on May 1, 1953 when the first movies screened were Alan Ladd in “Branded” & Mitzi Gaynor in “Bloodhounds of Broadway”. It was part of the E.M. Loew’s chain, who still operated it in 1955. It was still open in 1978. It was demolished around 1991, and the land is now a residential sub-division known as Leo Circle.
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Matt
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
This Drive-Inn was operated by Interstate Theaters out of Boston, Mass. in the fifties.
I found this on the Thompson (CT) Historical Society Newsletter (Winter 2003 newsletter):
“Ladies received free flowers and men free cigarettes at the opening of the Quinebaug Drive-In on Rte. 131, near the 4 Corners. Alan Ladd, who later starred in a 1959 movie filmed in Thompson, “The Man in the Netâ€, starred in “Branded†(1950).
I lived in neighboring Dudley, MA in 1983, and drove by the Quinebaug many times. If memory serves correctly, I don’t recall it being open at that time, I might be wrong.
My ex-father-inlaw owned a Mini-Mansion (renovated and turned into an apartment building) on a lot next to the Drive-In back in the late 50’s/early 60’s. His daughter used to play in the projection booth when the place was closed, in the winter. (Guess they didn’t lock things back then!)
I believe this Drive-in held a capacity of 600 cars.
Connecticut 131 & Leo Cir, Quinebaug, CT 06262
The above address will map accurately to the location of the drive-in.
Here is a 1971 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of HistoricAerials.com.
Above address is incorrect. Approx. address for this drive-in was 781 Connecticut 131. Leo Cir did not exist when this was open as runs through where the drive-in stodd.
Using @jwmovies address; info. from someone close to the area, plus comparing the 1971 aerial (thanks to @NYozoner) to Google Earth, the former Drive-In site is an empty lot. - Dave Lounder
@crownx *Drive-In 😉 - Dave Lounder
784 Quinebaug Road, Quinebaug, CT is a better address.
The drive in was located right on the border with Massachusetts. Today, housing exists on the site with no trace of the drive in remaining. The entrance road was just west of where Leo Circle is today.
https://tinyurl.com/yj6bx2tb
Opened on May 1st, 1953, as “America’s most modern Drive-In”. Grand opening ad posted.