Bel-Air Drive-In - Mitchell, IL
N 38° 45.678 W 090° 04.108
15S E 754721 N 4294370
Extinct in Mitchell, IL
Waymark Code: WM2P71
Location: Illinois, United States
Date Posted: 11/29/2007
Views: 61
This information is taken from the Cinema Treasures website:
The Bel-Air opened in the mid-50s as a single-screen drive-in, situated off the historic Route 66. It was originally part of the Mid-America Theatres chain, based in St. Louis. In the 70s, a second screen was built. At one time, the Bel-Air could accomodate about 700 cars.
Its concession building also housed a tiny indoor seating area, with a large picture window, for when the weather was bad (since it was originally open year-round).
BAC Theatres ran the drive-in from 1982 until it closed in 1987. The Bel-Air was completely demolished by the mid-90s except for its colorful and classy marquee (a large, bright red bell is behind the name of the drive-in), still in fairly good shape.
An industrial park is being constructed on the site of the Bel-Air.
Current condition: Very little remains (signs, speaker posts, car ramps, screen structure, etc.)
Address:
Chain of Rocks Rd.
Mitchell, IL USA
Web Page: [Web Link]
Rating: 
Unknown Name: Not listed
Drive-In For Sale!: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:
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