Starlight Drive-In
1400 10th Drive SE,
Austin,
MN
55912
1400 10th Drive SE,
Austin,
MN
55912
2 people
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Additional Info
Previous Names: Hiway 218 Drive-In, Austin Outdoor Theatre, Outdoor
Nearby Theaters
The Highway 218 Drive-In was opened on August 23 1949 with Jack Carson in “April Showers”. It was operated by Austin Outdoor Theatre Corp. The address given at that time was 304 S. St. Paul Street. In 1952 they renamed it Austin Outdoor Theatre. In 1955 it was renamed Outdoor Theatre. On June 2, 1978 it was renamed Starlight Drive-In. It was closed at the end on the 1985, season. Now Midtown Towing and Auto Clinic.
10th Drive Southeast AKA County Road 45 used to be Highway 218 when this theatre was open.
Contributed by
James Monroe
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Recent comments (view all 6 comments)
At the end it was known as the Austin Outdoor Theatre. The header needs to be updated.
Boxoffice, May 23, 1960: “AUSTIN, MINN. – M. F. "Mickey” Justad, former manager of the Ely Theatre, Ely, and Leo Ross, Sauk Rapids, have purchased the Outdoor Theatre here."
I Can’t Find The Opening Date To This Theater According To The Austin Daily Herald.
Looks like its still open in 1983, but was demolished by 1991.
The name change, from Hiway 218 to Austin Outdoor, must have occurred between these two stories.
Boxoffice, Jan. 1, 1962: “Mickey Justad, operator of the Hiway 218 Drive-In at Austin, and his wife are back from a month’s vacation in Florida looking taned and healthy”
Boxoffice, Aug. 6, 1973: “AUSTIN, MINN. - High-velocity winds severely damaged the screen of the Austin Outdoor Theatre at approximately 4:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 3, it was reported by Robert Saaranen, manager. Several sections of the screen were torn from the center portion of the tower, causing a two-day shutdown of the ozoner. Damage was estimated at several thousand dollars. Quick work by repair crews had the Austin Outdoor Theatre back in operation for the Thursday night, July 5, showing.”
Opened August 23rd, 1949 as Hi-Way Drive-in. Renamed Hi-Way Drive-In in 1952, Outdoor theatre in 1955, Austin Outdoor in 1972, Starlight Drive-In on June 2nd, 1978 and closed after its last season in 1985. Grand opening ad posted.