Atlantic Drive-In
5854 Atlantic Boulevard,
Jacksonville,
FL
32207
5854 Atlantic Boulevard,
Jacksonville,
FL
32207
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Dixie Drive-In Theatres
Previous Names: Jacksonville Drive-In
Nearby Theaters
The Jacksonville Drive-In opened on December 6, 1939 with Bing Crosby in “East Side of Heaven”. In 1949 it was renamed Atlantic Drive-In and was operated by Dixie Drive-In Theatres. It was closed in 1973. A Publix supermarket is now in its place.
Contributed by
Dave Bonan
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
This was a great drive-in. When I was growing up in the ‘60’s they showed the usual drive-in fare— double and triple features. I saw countless horror movies here and remember them fondly. The main thing about the Atlantic was that a neighborhood was right behind it. At some point there must have been some tension between the neighborhood and the drive-in because an accomodation had been reached…the homes had speakers in their backyards! How about that? Go out on the patio on a nice evening, turn up the sound, and watch the movie on the big screen straight ahead! I was very jealous of the people who lived there!
Altmike – can I have your contact info – I would like to ask you a few questions about this drive in – thanks – Candace
The Atlantic Drive In opened around 1939 (not 1950 as indicated at the top of the page) and was Florida’s first drive in. I remember seeing a re-release of Gone With The Wind there sometime in the middle 40’s.
5854 Atlantic Blvd, Jacksonville, FL 32207
The above address will map accurately to the location of the drive-in, which operated from 1939-75.
The drive-in was known as the Jacksonville Drive-In from 1939-45, so an “also known as” should be added to the heading.
1960 aerial photo courtesy of HistoricAerials.com.
Opened on 12/6/1939.
Boxoffice, Dec. 12, 1960: “Horace Denning, local district supervisor of Dixie Drive-In Theatres … (is) announcing the reopening of the Atlantic Drive-In Tuesday (6), less than a month from the time the outdoorer’s screen tower was destroyed by fire. Local television stations gave news coverage to the reopening … (including) the drive-in’s new all-steel, CinemaScope screen tower. In celebrating the opening, which came exactly 21 years after the Dec. 6, 1939, opening date, adult patrons were admitted for 21 cents and children under 12 were admitted free … the 1939 opening … featured (Bing) Crosby in "East Side of Heaven” and (Clark) Gable in “Call of the Wild.” "
Grand opening ad posted.
It was renamed the Atlantic Drive-In theatre in 1949 to avoid confusion with the other drive-ins in the area. Closed 1973.