Auto Park Drive-In
3612 Causeway Boulevard,
Tampa,
FL
33619
3612 Causeway Boulevard,
Tampa,
FL
33619
3 people
favorited this theater
Opened in June 24, 1948 with Dick Haymes in “Carnival in Costa Rica”. The Auto Park Drive-In was located just over the bridge on 22nd Street Causeway. It was taken over by Floyd Theaters in March 1960. It was later closed and demolished, and today there is an open field, though nothing seems to remain aside from a gate and the outline of a driveway.
Contributed by
Andy
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Recent comments (view all 23 comments)
Thanks for the HistoricAerials link NYozoner! Nice view of the Auto Park lot.
April 7 1963 has at this Drive-in the Road Show Engagement,un-cut,“EL CID”.
Here’s an aerial from 1957:
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Here’s a current aerial of the former lot as it looks today…54 years later…still vacant:
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Enlarge to super-size by clicking on image and clicking “view all sizes” on upper left.
Thanks Nick.Left you a post on Springs Theatre.
This brings back memories! As a child we frequented the Auto Park, and before we went in, we used to go across the street to The Seabreeze, and get a sack of deviled crabs for $1.00! And, I was honored to be the last manager, 1983, before it closed, permanently. Mr. Berry was my supervisor, and after cleaning it up, getting it sprayed regularly for mosquitoes, and having the local state trooper on hand for security, we had record ticket sales again! What great memories!
Eyerock4ever: thanks for commenting! It very rare to see comments from former managers of Tampa area theatres. Oh yes, I remember the deviled crabs at the Seabreeze which for many years were probably the best in Tampa. I’ve always thought both the Auto Park and Tower Drive-Ins could still be open today since the land they were located on remain deserted and undeveloped, whereas the properties of all other former Tampa drive-ins have been redeveloped for other uses. No doubt it would be a risky venture, but someone with enough cash and true desire could rebuild both drive-ins on the same property where they once stood!
I remember watching many movies at this drivein as well as going to Seabreeze across the street. the last two movies i remember seeing here were Indiana Jones and Bruce Lee “Enter the Dragon”. My aunt worked here in the early 80’s.
24/6/1948 with “Carnival in Costa Rica”.
Adding detail to part of Nunzienick’s fine post:
Boxoffice, March 14, 1960: “Carl Floyd of Haines City has added the Auto Park Drive-In, Tamps, to his Floyd Theatres circuit. It was formerly operated by Mrs. S. E. Brittain, whose husband has the large Brittain Plaza Theatre at Tampa”