email: roadarch@outlook.com

Florida Drive-ins

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Thunderbird Drive-in and Swap Shop
Fort Lauderdale, FL
The Thunderbird Drive-in opened in 1963. In 1966, the property began double duty as a flea market. The successful Swap Shop expanded over the years into a permanent indoor flea market which is open 7 days a week. In the early 1990s, the Thunderbird added concerts. The drive-in continues to operate year-round. It now has 13 screens, making it the largest drive-in in the U.S. For more, see this website. [map]

Silver Moon Drive-in
Lakeland, FL
The Silver Moon Drive-in opened in 1948. The screen tower once had a mural of a beach with water and palm trees. But in 1950, the tower was severely damaged by a tornado and it had to be rebuilt. It reopened the same year. In 1952, the neon signage was added, and, in 1985, a second screen was added. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Fran-Linn Drive-in [gone]
Mulberry, FL		 Fort Pierce Drive-in
Fort Pierce, FL		 Fun-Lan Drive-in [gone]
Tampa, FL
The Fran-Linn Drive-in had a concrete, Art Deco looking screen tower. The movie was visible from the highway. It was later known as the Mulberry Drive-in. This photo is from 2005. The screen tower was demolished in 2013.

The Fort Pierce Drive-in opened in 1949 and closed in 1986. All that remains is this screentower. The property is for sale and its days may be numbered. For more, see this website. [map]

The Fun-Lan Drive-in opened in 1950. Two screens were added in the 1980s. The marquee was altered around 2006, replacing the message panel with an LED screen. In 2021, the drive-in closed. The sign was sold to the Peninsularium, an "immersive art attraction," which was expected to open in 2022. However, that project has been abandoned and I don't know where the sign is now. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Ruskin Family Drive-in
Ruskin, FL
The Ruskin Family Drive-in opened in 1952 and is still operating. In 2024, the screen was destroyed during Hurricane Milton but the owners will rebuilt it. [map]