Airway Drive-In

22999 US Highway 136,
Memphis, MO 63555

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50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on February 10, 2024 at 3:46 pm

The 300-car Airway Drive-In opened its gates on May 22, 1953 with a one-day showing of Ronald Reagan in “Tropic Zone” along with an unnamed cartoon and an unnamed comedy, featuring an original wooden/steel 48x72ft tower. It was first operated by C.W. Locke who also operated the Time Theatre.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on February 10, 2024 at 3:33 pm

Sounds like the Airway widened its screen a lot later than most drive-ins.

Boxoffice, July 1, 1963: “At (Dick) Davis' other airer, the Airways (sic?) in Memphis, Mo., workmen have been busy widening the screen and generally redecorating.”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on May 16, 2020 at 1:46 pm

Kenmore’s description pointed me to the site, about three miles east of Memphis. These days, Google likes the address of 22999 US Hwy 136, Memphis, MO.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on August 27, 2015 at 11:05 pm

For a distance Highway 15 and 136 are one in the same.

Kenmore
Kenmore on August 27, 2015 at 5:50 am

I found a drive-in on HWY 136 about ½ mile east of Salem Road on the south side. It appears to fit the description of this drive-in.

Today, it is private property and other than the outline there is no trace of the drive-in remaining. http://tinyurl.com/q8quymx

Chris1982
Chris1982 on August 26, 2015 at 12:58 pm

The Airway Drive-In opened in 1954 and was still listed as open in the late-1970’s. The drive-in was located on Highway 15.