FOUND THIS AD ON THE INTERNET AND EMAILED IT TO ME LAST NIGHT.
NO DATE ON AD, BUT I THINK IT WAS 1951. THE DRIVE-IN OPENED IN
AUGUST OF 1950. WALT ALLEN AND DICK FRANKLIN BUILDT IT ON A PIECE OF FRANKLIN'S FARM. NOTE, THE 61 CUT-OUT SIGN AT THE TOP. THE SCREEN WAS KIND OF A BUILDING AND THE BOTTOM PART WAS USED FOR STORAGE. THE BOXOFFICE (TICKET) BUILDING LOOKS MUCH LIKE THE PRESENT ONE. THEN, THEY HAD SPEAKERS, 250. THAT WAS THE
MAXIMUM NUMBER OF CARS ALLOWED. NOW, WITHOUT SPEAKERS,
THE NUMBER CAN GO HIGHER. I HAD 298 CARS LAST SATURDAY AND
THAT HAPPENS A COUPLE TIMES A YEAR. THE WEATHER CAN MAKE OR
BREAK A DRIVE-IN SEASON AND WE HAVE HAD A LOT OF RAIN THIS
YEAR, SO CONSEQUENTLY, WE ARE DOWN FROM LAST YEAR, BUT COULD
STILL REBOUND BEFORE THE SUMMER IS OVER. I HAVE OWNED THE THEATRE SINCE 1972. ONE OF 4 IN IOWA LEFT. AT ONE TIME, THERE WERE
OVER 50 IOWA DRIVE-IN THEATRES. THE FARMER NEXT TO THE 61 WILL BE BUILDING A 2500 HOG CONFINEMENT LATER THIS SUMMER. HOPEFULLY,
SINCE IT WILL BE ACROSS THE HIGHWAY TO THE EAST, IT WILL NOT
CAUSE AN ODER PROBLEM. IF SO, THERE WILL BE THOUSANDS OF
DRIVE-IN FANS CONCERNED.
WHEN WAS THE LAST TIME YOU WENT TO A DRIVE-IN MOVIE?
THE 61 IS A FAMILY THEATRE....FOR ALL AGES! TREAT YOURSELF TO A
NIGHT AT THE 61! YOU CAN EVEN RIDE THE TRAIN, PLAY IN THE SANDBOX,
SWING IN THE SWINGS AND PLAY VOLLEYBALL. AND BRING YOUR OWN FOOD IF YOU WANT AND TAILGATE BEFORE THE FIRST MOVIE.
DENNIS VOY
