Sky-Hi Drive-In

MichaelKilgore on February 4, 2025 at 10:06 am

There was a two-page write-up on the recently opened Sky-Hi in the Modern Theatre section of the June 7, 1952 issue of Boxoffice. “The Ski-Hi sign is constructed of five 2x6s, 27 feet high and lights up in red. Neon tubing goes up and down the posts. A blinker system is responsible for twinkling silver stars.” The screen was 40x160 feet on a tower of “laminaka fir timber.” (Unfortunately, no photos.) The drive-in’s water came from a 150-foot well.

“The drive-in is the realization of a two-year-old plan of Ralph A. Hahn, Don Dedriksen and Kieth Dedricksen, formerly of Lincoln, Mont.” Hahn was recalled to active military duty in Korea, which put construction on hold until October 1951.

MichaelKilgore on December 29, 2019 at 8:57 pm

Boxoffice, Aug. 30, 1952: “When Helena’s city drinking water was declared "not fit for human consumption” early this week, an advertisement in a daily paper notified the public that well water, free for the taking, had been made available to local residents at the Sky-Hi Drive-In on the east Helena highway. The announcement was made by Ralph Hahn, co-owner of the ozoner."

MichaelKilgore on August 14, 2019 at 6:01 pm

“HELENA, MONT. – Customers attending the Ski-Hi Drive-In Wednesday and Thursday were invited to come to the snack bar and purchase an envelope for 95 cents guaranteed to contain $1, $2, or $5. Some envelopes contained a $5 bill. Only one envelope was sold to a customer. The operators of the drive-in theater said there were no gimmicks and no obligation, that they just wanted to see the customers' smiling faces.” — Boxoffice, July 4, 1960