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Illinois Drive-ins

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Skyview Drive-in
Belleville, IL
The Skyview Drive-in opened in 1949. This sign was built in 1950 by Kirn Signs. The Skyview's original screen tower was painted pink and emblazoned with the drive-in's name and nine stars, all outlined with neon. In 1955, a tornado tore down the screen and marquee. Both were rebuilt and this sign was replicated to look like the original. In 1981, the screen was again destroyed by a windstorm and rebuilt. A second screen was also added at that time.

The sign's red, white, and blue paint scheme are original. The sign is about 20 feet wide. Its two faces are triangulated for maximum visibility from the road. The neon has not worked since the 1970s or 1980s. Instead, the sign is illuminated with a spotlight. The message boards are illuminated from within the sign. The rocket-like plane's contrail originally flashed. Saturn and the nine stars were lit with static white neon. Red neon was used for the letters while blue neon lit the plane. The owner is considering having the sign restored. However, a $50,000 estimate has put that plan on hold for now. The Skyview is the only operating drive-in left in the St. Louis area. It is one of the few drive-ins that still features a playground. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [map]

Diane Drive-in
Carlinville, IL		 Bel-Air Drive-in [gone]
Cicero, IL
The Diane Drive-in opened in 1952 and has been closed since 1981. For more, see this website. [map]

The Bel-Air Drive-in opened in 1949 as a single screen. This back-to-back screen tower was built later. This drive-in closed in 1999. This photo is from 2006. The screen tower was demolished in 2007. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Blue Moonlight Drive-in
Galesburg, IL
The Blue Moonlight Drive-in opened as the Galesburg Drive-in in 1948. It closed in 1980 and fell into disrepair. In 2005, new owners restored the drive-in and reopened it as the Blue Moonlight. For more, see this website. [map]

Bel-Air Drive-in [gone]
Granite City, IL
The Bel-Air Drive-in in Granite City opened in 1954 and closed in 1987. All that remained was this marquee. In 2018, the property was about to be developed. The sign was sold to a collector and removed. For more, see this website.

Hill-Top Drive-in
Joliet, IL
The Hill-Top Drive-in opened in the 1950s and closed in 2001. It has been abandoned since then. In 2021, much of the remaining drive-in was destroyed by a storm. The screentower was partially damaged and was demolished around 2022. The ticket booth is still there. For more, see this website. [map]

Sky View Drive-in
Litchfield, IL
The Sky View Drive-in opened in 1950 as the Litchfield Drive-in. It was renamed later that year and is still in operation. For more, see this website. [map]

McHenry Outdoor Theatre
McHenry, IL		 Eri-Lyn Drive-in
Morrison, IL
The McHenry Outdoor Theatre opened in 1955 and is still in operation. [map]

The Eri-Lyn Drive-in was named after the nearby towns of Erie and Lyndon. It closed around 1987. The screen is gone but the sign still remains. Does anyone know when this drive-in was built? For more, see this website. [map]

former Fairview Drive-in
Newton, IL		 French Village Drive-in
Sauget, IL
The Fairview Drive-in opened in 1953. Since 2015, it has been known as the Drive 'N Theatre. For more, see this website. [map]

The French Village Drive-in was built in 1942 in East St. Louis, IL. The drive-in closed around 1989 and was demolished in 2005. The marquee sign was saved and is stored at the St. Louis Building Arts Foundation Conservatory in Sauget. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

Springfield:
Route 66 Drive-in