Dead Drive-Ins In The Evansville – Henderson Area

The very first drive-in opened on May 16, 1933 drive-in opened in Camden, New Jersey June 6, 1933.

That was the first drive-in.  Looks kind of primitive in comparison of what we came to know as the 'modern day' drive-in. Check out the newest breed of hi-tech drive-ins, like this one in Denver.

I liken the demise of the drive-in theater to this. The first video MTV played when they signed on was "Video Killed The Radio Star" by The Buggles.  Thankfully, MTV is crap these days and I have a job all these years later.  Anyway, I guess a subtitle for this could be "VHS Killed The Drive-IN." From the early 50's until The Starlite in Henderson closed in 2005.  Personally I think if someone were to open a Drive-IN in Evansville, they would bank!  It's like the saying, "everything that's old is new again," and I think that's the fun you and I had at the Drive-In would be enjoyed by the new millennials.  So, let's run down a few Dead Drive-Ins in the are and one that is still thriving.

The Evansville Drive-In

My fave, at the corner of Morgan and Green River.  It's where I saw my first movies like "Texas Chainsaw Massacre", "Last House On The Left" and other grindhouse type flicks. I remember my band along with a couple of other local groups playing on a flat bed trailer before a Cheech and Chong triple bill!!

The West Side 1 and 2 Drive-In

Located off of Red Bank road in God's Country.  I only went there once or twice, myself.  Owned by Joe Koewler, who also at the time owned East Park Cinemas, The Victory and later Neon's.

The Sunset Drive-In

North Hwy 41 near the airport.  One of the best for viewing, I think. Plus you get to see planes taking off and landing.

The Starlite Drive-In

The last in the area to close.  They operated from the early 50's to 2005.  I was there on the final night.  This venue had some of the best fried chicken around.  Often people would stop on the way home from work and buy their chicken and not attend the movies.

The Holiday Drive-In in REO, Indiana

Still in existence, this theater packs them in all summer long.  Six screens of true nostalgic fun, and they have good food too. Because they are not in an actual market (a la Evansville, or Owensboro) they are able to acquire first run movies. Here's more info about the Holiday from the 103GBF Website.

A foreboding shot of the Holiday in REO

These are days most likely in the rear view mirror for Evansville.  But, so many memories of Summer's past.