Nyack Drive-In
630 Route 303,
Blauvelt,
NY
10913
630 Route 303,
Blauvelt,
NY
10913
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It was there until at least November 2011, its now been demolished and a FedEx distribution center has been built on the site.
Opened with “King of kings”.
Uploaded some pictures from Jon Moss who worked at the Nyack Drive-In.
Odd name! Sounds a bit Three Stooges that name!
More information here
My dad, my uncle and an associate who’s family owned a demolition company out of Yonkers, N.Y. cleared the land and built this drive inn starting late in 1960. I have almost all of it on 8mm film. The excavation company was called Ramapo Excavation Inc. all the paving and stone came from the Acme Asphalt Paving Co. out of Chester, N.Y. The frame for the screen was erected by a group of American Indians, no harnesses, hooks or anything that would keep them from a fall, it was all free hand. I was told the Indians had no fear of high places and were well balanced. They were the most incredible guys to watch walking around on the top beams like they were on the ground walking on a sidewalk, I was amazed. I spent time there watching this project come together occasionally on Saturday’s and when school was out for the summer until it was completed. I thought is was the greatest time spent in an early time of life for me. It would be nice to chat with anyone who is still alive and was connected with this project. A pond and a stream were re-routed in order to build the drive inn and a very large object was buried there. I do not know if this was ever discovered however, only those who were there would know where and what it is.
April 17th, 1962 grand opening ad in photo section.
Looking on Google Maps, there is a new building there now, where the screen was. I’m not sure when it was built (and when the screen was removed). :(
While hiking in Buttermilk Falls County Park a couple of weeks ago our group could clearly see the remains of this drive-in. The screen is still up and you can see the parking field that radiates out from it. I did not see a marquee on Route 303 for it but I could have missed it.
I believe I just saw this theater used on a tv show. It’s nearly impossible to find on youtube, so you may have to purchase it on dvd to see it. The show is called “The adventures of Pete and Pete”. The episode is from season 2 and is called “The Call”. The show was filmed around 1992-1993 and used to be on Nickelodeon. Much of this episode is filmed at a drive in movie theater (clearly run down and not in operation). They even have a clip of an old sign that says “Nyack drive-in” right on it. I just happened to be watching this show and thought it would be great to try and find the old theater and take some pictures. It makes sense that they filmed here too because most of the show was filmed in the Northern New Jersey area.
Bill Huelbig, do you have anymore Movie Newspaper ad clippings?
Here are two Bergen Record ads for the Nyack Drive-In:
From 1968:
View link
From 1969:
View link
UA operated this drive-in, which closed in the late 70’s or early 80’s. Some of it is still standing – the screen is there, covered by trees, but can be seen from the nearby Palisades Center Mall parking lot. The marquee is used to advertise Nyack Golf, which is adjacent to the drive-in proper. The lot is a paved one and looks to be in good shape, but the concession and box office buildings were demolished some time ago. About 4 miles south on the same road, the former UA 303 Drive-In is partially standing. That marquee was semi-restored last year. The 303’s lot houses a compost heap. The concession building is still standing. The 303’s screen frame was up last year, but has since fallen down. The 303 was also operated by UA.