Grayslake Outdoor Theatre
813 E. Belvidere Road,
Grayslake,
IL
60030
813 E. Belvidere Road,
Grayslake,
IL
60030
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Grand Opening ad posted.
The Family Outdoor Theatre opened its gates on September 24, 1948 with John Wayne in “Tycoon” along with an unnamed Disney cartoon. The theater changed its name to the Family Drive-In by 1955, and later the Grayslake Outdoor Theatre by 1960.
After almost 50 years of operation, the Grayslake Outdoor Theatre closed for the final time on September 6, 1998 with “Saving Private Ryan” and “Blade”.
The October 2, 1948 issue of Boxoffice said that the Family Outdoor Theatre recently opened near Grayslake had been designed by architects Arthur Swanson and Associates.
The Original Screen Before CinemaScope Is 45x60 Ft.
In The Early 1950s It Was Named Family Outdoor Theatre Before Changing Its Name To Family Drive-In In 1955.
Years ago I went to Volo Car museum with my family and drive by a drive-in down the street. I have reason to believe this is that drive-in, am I correct?
I lived in Grayslake from 1975 to 1985, I was 9 to 18 years old. Our family went to this drive in regularly during the summer, it was magical. We would go in the station wagon and Dad would park backwards, open the tailgate and my lil'sister and I would lay on our pillows and eat popcorn we brought from home and drink Pepsi from glass bottles with our parents sitting in lawn chairs beside us. Had my first make out session with my first girlfriend there when I was 16, and then my first boyfriend a year later. Magical time!
This drive in was located at approximately 813 E. Belvidere Rd, Grayslake, IL 60030. The entrance was where Dunkin Donuts is now located. Please update.
Here is a June 1982 ad from the Daily Herald:
http://tinyurl.com/qsc8xm
The bottom photo shows the drive-in in 1990:
http://tinyurl.com/35j493
This theatre was built by my grandfather, Frederick Dobe. He also owned the Dobe Tree Farm, which is now the Arbor Vista subdivision.
As a kid growing up, this is the Drive-In that we frequented most and it was sad to have it close. I remember bringing brown paper bags of homemade buttery popcorn there and coolers filled with Kool-Aid – aaahhhh, “the good ole days”. One of my favorite movies viewed there: “Dirty Larry, Crazy Mary”.