Y&W Drive-in
Posted by: 
ILuvAZ
N 41° 29.825 W 087° 20.185
16T E 471920 N 4593995
Y&W Drive-in
Waymark Code: WMHCA8
Location: Indiana, United States
Date Posted: 06/23/2013
Views: 7
Y & W Drive-In Timeline:
1953 - opened
1998 - closed
2002 - marquee sold and removed
2004 - torn down
The Y & W drive-in opened as a single screen in May 1953, just off of the main strip in Merrillville, IN. Its large sign could be seen for blocks when lit up. The first screen could hold over 1,600 cars.
There was a playground on the grounds.
In 1971, a second screen was opened to the south of screen 1 which held 500 cars. When passing the drive-in on Broadway you could easily see the movies on each screen. The drive-in was hugely popular and even stayed open all year around through 1978.
Every holiday there was a terrific fireworks show. Every New Year’s Eve screen 1 would have a dusk to dawn show with free coffee, donuts, and passes to the few who managed to make it through the night.
In 1981, a third and much smaller screen opened right behind screen 2 and held 300 cars. Still again the third screen was far enough back that you could see it from Broadway.
Up until the late-1980’s each screen presented a triple feature each Friday and Saturday and a double feature the rest of the week during the season. I can remember a great triple feature of “Aliens”, “The Fly”, and “Fright Night”.
In the 1990s, attendance had dwindled badly and gang activity had increased. After the 1997 season the Y & W closed for good.
In 2002, the marquee was sold and removed. As of March, 2004, the drive-in has been demolished.
Current condition: Nothing remains (empty or overgrown lot)
Address:
6600 South Broadway
Merrillville, IN USA
46410
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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