Clark 54 Drive-In
19312 US Highway 54,
Rockport,
IL
62370
19312 US Highway 54,
Rockport,
IL
62370
5 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Previous Names: Clark 54 Pike Drive-In, Clark Drive-In, Summer Hill Drive-In
Nearby Theaters
Opened in 1952, the Clark 54 (named for its location along Route 54) accommodates about 300 cars. Though it went through a period of decline for years, the drive-in was acquired by new owners in 2001, who have done some major upgrading and refurbishment to this popular west-central Illinois ozoner, including a remodeled snack area, restrooms and a new picnic area. The Clark’s season runs from May-September. It never reopened for the 2014 season due to lack of digital projection.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Operated by the Armentrout Circuit in 1963.
This is the same drive-in as the Summer Hill Drive In, which is listed separately, as being in Pittsfield IL. It is in Summer Hill IL, not Rockport or Pittsfield.
Just south of town on Hwy 54 in Summer Hill.
Closed and for sale as of spring 2014. They tried to win the contest for a digital system with no luck, probably the main reason for closing and sale.
Map shows this location as being roughly halfway between IL 96 at Atlas, IL and Mississippi River where highway crosses to Louisiana, MO. Clark 54 is actually NE of IL 96, much closer to Summer Hill.
No ramps? No poles? Odd!
Anyone know the asking price?
Thanks,
Dave Lounder
TheDriveInGuys.com
Boxoffice, July 6, 1957: “The Clark Drive-In at Summer Hill, Ill., owned by Russell Armentrout of Louisiana, Mo., was flattened by the tornado of June 11 … The screen tower was blown down and considerable damage was done to the concession-projection building. Armentrout hoped to have it ready for opening at the end of this week.”
The Independent Film Journal, Aug. 7, 1954: “The first drive-in in this area (St. Louis) to air-condition its concession building was the Clark, between Pittsfield, Ill., and Louisiana, Mo. The theatre had a five-ton unit installed.”
With the coronavirus, this theater may be worth re-opening.
This place advertised as the “Clark Drive-In, Summer Hill, Illinois” in the 1963 Louisiana (MO) High School yearbook, the Alamo.
Considering that was also its name in 1950s industry notes, Clark Drive-In should be another Previous Name here.