Skyway Drive-In
3522 US-41,
Palmetto,
FL
34221
3522 US-41,
Palmetto,
FL
34221
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A closer address is 3522 US-41, Palmetto, FL.
There was never a drive-in at the church location, aerial photos confirm that. The drive-in was further south at the junction of US-41 & US-19, putting it closer to Palmetto.
However, this drive-in was built before 1957 as it appears in the aerial. It is located behind the Little Palm Inn which existed at that time. So, perhaps this drive-in was under previous ownership, maybe part of the inn?
What’s interesting is that the 1969 aerial may show the drive-in closed, but I cannot be sure.
The drive-in was intact in 1984, but was demolished by 1995. Today, it is North Manatee RV & Storage with no trace of the drive-in remaining. Save perhaps for the pillars of the marquee which appears to have once held the sign for the drive-in on top.
https://tinyurl.com/5n7vbk6e
Boxoffice, March 9, 1970: “Holiday Amusements Co. has acquired the Skyway Drive-In, Palmetto, Fla., from Ron Jones”
Opened as the Palmetto Drive-in on 15/12/1962 with a colour cartoon(not named), “The barefoot mailman” and “A day with the FBI”. Opened as Skyway Drive-in on 25/3/1970 with “Rosemary’s baby”, “Romeo & Juliet” and “Riot”
This opened as the Palmetto Drive-In on December 15th, 1962, and closed in 1962. It reopened by Floyd Theatres as the Skyway Drive-In on March 25th, 1970, and closed in 1984. Grand opening ads posted.