218 Drive-In

2191 Old Highway Road,
Charles City, IA 50616

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Additional Info

Previously operated by: Central States Theatres Corp

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CHARLES CITY 218 DRIVE-IN THEATER

The 218 Drive-In opened in 1956. Car capacity was 500. It was still listed as open in the early-1970’s. The drive-in was operated by Central States Theatres.

Contributed by Chris1982

Recent comments (view all 8 comments)

celcon
celcon on March 7, 2015 at 6:03 pm

Does anyone have any information on this obsolete drive-in site?

Kenmore
Kenmore on June 12, 2016 at 4:09 pm

The address (at least according to Google) is 2189 Old US Highway 218, Charles City, IA. Today, a business occupies the property with no trace of the drive-in remaining. http://tinyurl.com/h92shpy

jwmovies
jwmovies on September 25, 2016 at 8:07 pm

The address above is now incorrect. It should be 2189 Old Hwy Road, Charles City, IA 50616.

This would be across the highway from Swartzrock Implement Company at 2192 Old Hwy Road. The address above points to a neighborhood much further Northwest than this location.

Please update.

celcon
celcon on February 26, 2017 at 4:19 pm

jwmovies, Thank you for the correction and update. Celcon

Michigandriveins.com
Michigandriveins.com on October 12, 2020 at 2:14 pm

The address is 2191 Old Highway Rd, Charles City, IA 50616.

celcon
celcon on October 12, 2020 at 4:22 pm

Michigandriveins, Thank you for this update. That area must have been very tight for addresses. Thank you for the awesome vintage picture! I love it!!!!

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on October 27, 2023 at 1:43 pm

The 218 was open by 1954.

Motion Picture Herald, April 24, 1954: “For the first time in many years, Charles City will have only one theatre during the summer. The Gem theatre, operated by Royce Winkelman, has closed until fall. Meanwhile, the Highway 218 drive-in will serve as host to Charles City theatre fans.”

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on November 23, 2023 at 12:11 pm

The 218 actually opened as early as 1952. The earliest info that I can find is from the Proceedings of the Board of Supervisors.

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