Rustic Starlite Drive-In
1406 E. Fayette Avenue,
Teutopolis,
IL
62467
1406 E. Fayette Avenue,
Teutopolis,
IL
62467
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Frisina Amusement Company
Previous Names: Frisina Drive-In, Starlite Drive-In
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The Frisina Drive-In was opened on May 18, 1950. On June 2, 1950 it was renamed Rustic Starlite Drive-In. Later known as known as just the Starlite Drive-In. It was located along Route 40 East in Effingham. The drive-in could accommodate 400 cars, and was part of the Frisina Amusements chain. It closed in 1985, and has since been demolished to make way for a construction company.
Its classic lightbulb-studded marquee was saved, however, and moved to an auto dealership in Effingham, which it still stands in front of today, used for advertising.
Contributed by
Bryan Krefft
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Recent comments (view all 8 comments)
From Boxoffice magazine, May 1950:
EFFINGHAM, ILL.-The 750-car drive-in being constructed for Frisina Amusement Co. of Springfield, Ill. on Highway 40 about one mile east of the city limits will be opened early in June.
The drive in sign seen above is on our corporate campus, 2 miles north of Effingham on N Rt 45 at Mid America Motorworks. Web addy is www.mamotorworks.com for directions.
A more accurate address for this theater is now 1406 E Fayette Ave, Teutopolis, IL 62467. This points directly to the drive in itself. Most ramps and structures are still there.
Please update.
The Herald and Review of Decatur IL ran a lengthy article on Feb. 27, 1982, profiling the Rustic and its owner, Mike Stephens. It said the Rustic was opened “about 1949” by the Frisina chain, which sold it to Stephens and his wife in late 1980.
“The Rustic was opened quickly, and gravel had to be added later to its parking lot. ‘They had quite a bit of trouble getting the land to settle,’ Stephens recalls, and several customers' automobiles got stuck the first week and had to be pulled out.”
Boxoffice, June 23, 1958: “EFFINGHAM, ILL. – The screen tower of the Rustic Starlite Drive-In on U. S. 40 one mile east of here was blown down in a tornado that hit this area the night of June 10. The drive-in will be closed at least until the latter part of this month.”
This opened as the Frisina Drive-In on May 18th, 1950, and renamed the Rustic Starlight Drive-In on June 2nd, 1950. Last season: 1985
Opened as Frisina Drive-in on 18th May 1950 with “Pirates of Monterey”.
Opened on 2nd June 1950 with “Little Shepherd of Kingdom Come”, “Two rode together” and “The Devil’s partner”.