Route 34 Drive-In

4468 E. 12th Road,
Earlville, IL 60518

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MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on May 3, 2019 at 7:00 pm

There are nice aerial photos of the 34 from 1965 and 1970 at VintageAerial.com

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on June 28, 2017 at 4:12 pm

Although not noticed by the national lists, the drive-in was advertised in the local paper as the Dyas 34 from Year One. The 1955-56 Theatre Catalog listed it as the 34, capacity 300. The 1959-76 IMPAs also called it just the 34, with the oddly specific capacity of 241.

I guess the name changed when ownership changed. The last IMPA list (1988) still shows it as the Dyas 34, run by C. W. Dyas.

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on June 28, 2017 at 3:28 pm

There’s a superb 2015 interview with owner Ron Magnoni Jr. on YouTube.

Trolleyguy
Trolleyguy on May 18, 2016 at 9:46 am

This theatre has now gone digital.

Chris1982
Chris1982 on December 14, 2014 at 3:32 am

The website still works, the drive-in is just closed for the season.

rivest266
rivest266 on December 13, 2014 at 4:05 pm

Website disconnected. closed for ever?

Chris1982
Chris1982 on September 20, 2014 at 2:35 am

There is a fundraiser now underway to convert to digital projection.

jwmovies
jwmovies on November 18, 2012 at 11:16 pm

The address for this drive-in is 4468 East 12th Road.

ChiMike35
ChiMike35 on February 12, 2012 at 10:42 am

I’ve been there…worth the drive if you live a distance away..One thing though…make sure there is no forecast for any potential storms in that area because you are out in the wide open spaces..

kencmcintyre
kencmcintyre on October 13, 2008 at 12:27 pm

Here is a 2006 photo:
http://tinyurl.com/4wjh9k

carbonarcboy
carbonarcboy on December 10, 2007 at 4:37 pm

If you folks want to see what a drive in theatre looked like in the 1950’s go see this one. It is operated by a man named Ron Magnoni who takes pride in this great drive in. It was built by Charles (Chuck)Dyas who owned and operated a indoor theatre in this little farm town as well. Both Ron and myself use to love to listen to Charlie talk about the good old days riding the train into Chicago to book pictures. With grass ramps and food cooked to order this drive in is a great memorial to all the drive ins of the past and our friend forever Charles (Chuck) Dyas.