Council Bluffs Drive-In

Closed on 27/12/2007.

David, go to HistoricAerials.com and punch in the addresses you see on Cinema Treasures. A lot of times you might be able to answer your own questions :) In looking back on that site it doesn’t appear that there was ever a drive in adjacent to the one in the photo.

Opened by Tri-States Theatre Circuit on July 14, 1950 showing “The Big Wheel.” The land cost $23,970 with the drive-in costing $100,000. Central States Theatre Circuit took on the theater shortly thereafter getting involved with in a price-fixing case along with seven other drive-ins.

The ozoner operated until closing at the end of the 2006 season with Central States Theatre selling it in January of 2007 for $1,250,000. The theater was demolished later that year.

It’s such a shame this closed! I knew this would happen. They are tearing down something that was a land mark for this town! Lets hope another drive in is built.

There is an article in the Council Bluffs Nonpareil dated 7/13/50 which discusses the opening of a new drive-in in the city. I’m not sure if it’s the same as the one listed as they just call it “The Drive-In”. Here is an excerpt from the article:

The new Drive-in theater here â€" one of the most modern in the middle west â€" will celebrate its grand opening at 7 p.m. Friday, William Miskell, Omaha district manager of Tri-States Theatres announced. It is located on a 12-acre tract on Highway 275 at Eleventh Street, immediately west of the closed Stork club. B.J. Dudgeon of Omaha will manage the enterprise. He also manages another Tri-States Drive-in at Omaha. Opening feature, which will begin at dusk Friday, is “The Big Wheel.” It’s a midget auto racing story starring Mickey Rooney. Free souvenirs will be distributed at the opening.