Morton Grove Drive-In

Groundbreaking for the Avon building that replaced it was in July `55 per 2008 comment above.

The June 25, 1944 Chicago Sun carried a short story that the “Drive-In Theater” would have a fireworks show on July 4 as part of a War Bond drive.

From the Sept. 9, 1945 Chicago Sun:

“With the removal of gasoline restrictions, the Drive In Theater has enjoyed such an upsurge of business that architects have been called in to reconstruct the entire left wing of the screen area to provide another ‘hold-out’ lot for 250 cars.

“Two weeks ago, a similar lot was opened on the right side of the theater to expedite entrance into the landscaped auditorium.”

Upload article from Box Office May 24,1941

There used to be a regular police presence for traffic control, when Avon employees left in mass every afternoon after work.
Not sure whether Avon or a drive-in would accumulate more cars at a given time. But it goes without saying that the 1940’s & `50’s would have had way less cars on the road.

There is a large Avon cosmetics plant located on that corner now.

It must have been distracting to have railway trains passing during the movie presentation.

Tribune-6/8/41:Huge Drive-In Theater Will Open Thursday
The largest drive-in theater in the world, located at Waukegan and Golf roads just west of Evanston, will open Thursday (June 12, 1941)
The $165,000 theater covers 20 acres which allows parking space for 1,160 cars. The screen is seven and a half stories high, mounted on a nine story elevation.
When a car arrives, girl ushers on bicycles will guide the driver to a stall. Vacant stalls are indicated on a large electric sign. Each car is in back of and elevated above the car in front. The incline also allows those in the back seat to see over those in the front seat. Cars are arranged so that a person can enter or leave during the performance without disturbing others.
There are individual loud speakers for each car and in the winter the speaker will be attached to the heater in your car. Upon request ushers will serve refreshments, and service station attendants will check tires, gas and oil during the performance.

We moved to Glenview in 1952 when I was 3 years old and I have vague memories of going to this drive in with my parents. It was already demolished before 1963 when I graduated elementary school. It would have been on the East side of Waukegan and I believe South of Golf Rd because North of Golf Rd is Glenview/Golf and there was a small helicopter landing pad for US Mail deliveries. Does anyone rememeber the old bowling alley/tavern located on Waukegan Rd across from Carraige Hill?