Downs Auto Drive-In
501 S. Broadway Street,
Wheeling,
WV
26003
501 S. Broadway Street,
Wheeling,
WV
26003
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Opened on June 2, 1967 with “The Tall Woman” and “Bikini Paradise”, and closed after the 1977 season.
The 1966 aerial photo of the site showed a racing oval, later repeated on those slow-to-update topo maps. So it looks like the Downs Auto was built in 1967.
Boxoffice, May 29, 1967: “George Pappas, general manager of Manos Theatres, reports his circuit will take over the Hazelwood Theatre at Chardon Wednesday (31). Manos' new drive-in at Wheeling, W. Va., has been named Downs Auto.”
Probably closed by the mid to late 1970s. By 1982, South York Street was extended which divided the property in two. The screen was torn down by 1994 while the concession stand/projection booth remained until at least 1997.
501 S Broadway St would be a better address as that is where the parking lot is. 500 is a house across the street.
Built in the late 60’s or early 70’s. it was a smallish site with short ramps.
It was on Wheeling Island. The northernmost parking lot for the casino and stadium is where the drive-in stood. The name comes from the track Wheeling Downs. Approx. address was 500 South Broadway.