June 6th, 1933
First Drive-In Theater Opened
in Camden, New Jersey.
Wayne shares some past photos.
"Photos of Drive-In movies and more."
Check out some of these. This was when guys could double date and go to the movies for $2.50. The last of the big time spenders could splite to cost of gas ($0.27 per gallon) for the car and movie and even with cost of a drink, pop corn and going to the favorite hang out afterwards you wouldn't spend over $6.00 or $7.00 for the night. Boy did we have some good times for so little money. There were three (3) drive-in movies in our area. They were the Blue Star Drive-in, Park Drive-in, and Bellwood Drive-in. I wish we had actual photos of all these old time greats but all we can do is show you photos simular to what they looked like. We have friends looking through all their old photos to hopefully find these oldies.
Blue Star Drive-In
The Blue Star Drive-in was located in Prince George County on Route 301 just south of Petersburg, VA. It was owned by Mr. Rowlett, who was a local resident that ran the projector, with his wife and kids helping out. I recently met Mr. Rowlett's son, Gary Rowlett, who owns a 1966 Plymouth Satilite and attends all the local cruise-ins with his wife. You may remember Gary if you ever went to the Blue Star Drive-in. Gary was the child labor cleaning the drink and other food dropped on the flood at the concession. Gary gave me the special car load pass to the movies at the Blue Star for $0.65. Gosh, what memories we have of the good times that were had at the movies. It's a shame it closed in the early 80's.
Gary is looking for more photos to share with us.
The other pictures have been made to show about what it looked at until Gary's Mother can find us some in her scrap books. You can click on to enlarge the pics and hit your back button to return for another.
See the front of the Blue Star
See the ticket booth at the entrance.
The Movie Screen
Your Movie Pass
See the concession stand.
Your Movie Speakers
Park Drive-In
The Park Drive-In was originally located in Petersburg, VA on Route 36, now known as East Washington Street, at the city limits. It had to move in the late 70's early 80's when the property was sold and a new K-Mart entered the scene. It moved to Prince George County on Route 460 East of Petersburg and never was the same. We went to the old location of the Park Drive-in on occassions when there were real special movies showing or we wanted to go play golf at the Putt-Putt located just up the street before it opened. But, that is another story. Wayne couldn't hit a golf ball without knocking it out of the alley, if he tried, when he hit it. Everyone got out the way when it became his turn! I don't have any pics that looks like the new location.
See approximately what the front of the Park Drive-In looked like around 1958.
Belwood Drive-In
The Bellwood Drive-In was located in Chesterfield County on Route 1 & 301, Jefferson Davis Hwy at the intersection of Willis Road. It closed in the 80's, I believe, when the owners found they could make money with a flee market. It is now still being used as a flee market. We didn't go to it very much as Bobbie had to be home by 11:00 PM or else she could date Wayne and would be grounded for a month. It was tuff being kids in the 50's, 60's and 70's. Your parents actually cared about where you went and what you did! Sorry, I don't have any pics that looks like this Drive-In.
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Current Drive-In Theaters Open
Goochland Drive
Keysville Drive-In
Our Old Photos Drive-in Resturants
Drive-in Movie
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Revised 04/15/09
