Twin City Drive-In
North Market Street at Clifford-Jacobs Road, Champaign
Opened Friday 3 September 1948
Closed 1 November 1981
Drive-in theatres had been opening all over the country in the post-war years. Champaign County got its first drive-in movie theatre when the Twin City Drive-In opened on Friday, 3 September 1948. The rising birth rate may have contributed to the popularity and rapid growth of drive-in theatres. No need for a baby sitter as the kids could go along and watch (or fall asleep) in the back seat. 1
Ad from the Champaign Urbana Courier, Friday, 3 September 1948. Page 10
The rows of this outdoor theatre were actually ramps that allowed the cars to park at a slight angle to get a better view of the screen. The ramps and driveways were all surfaced with crushed stone. Speaker posts were installed to accommodate 600 cars. Anticipating future expansion, wiring was installed so posts for 100 additional cars could be added. 2
Ushers were employed to direct patrons to parking places and help with the speakers which were equipped with individual volume controls and ten-foot cords for easier maneuvering to car windows. The ushers also helped with directing cars out after the show. 3
The gigantic screen on a steel framework covered with a composition board called Transite towered up 56 feet and was 52 feet wide. The projected image was 44 feet wide by 32 feet high. There was a ticket booth at the gate. A concrete block building, measuring 40 by 22 feet, housed restrooms and a concession stand that sold popcorn, hot dogs, ice cream, candy, soft drinks, and other refreshments. Another concrete building housed the 38 by 13 foot projection booth. 4
Benches were installed on the first ramp for patrons who arrived by taxi, bicycle, or walked. They could also be used by drivers who preferred to sit outside their cars. 5.
Ad showing the screen and speaker posts from The News-Gazette, Friday 3 September 1948. Page 6.
Ad showing a movie projector from
The News-Gazette, Friday 6 September 1943. Page 6.
John Barr was owner/manager of the Twin City Drive-In. Russell Willard of Champaign was his assistant manager. 6
Performances were set for 8 p.m. and 10:15 p.m. This varied to correspond with the time of sunset. Movies were typically changed three times each week, on a Sunday-Monday, Tuesday-Wednesday-Thursday, and Friday-Saturday basis. The opening film was “Frontier Gal.” 7
In July, 1949, a children’s playground had been installed at the Twin City Drive-In. Manager John Barr explained the playground was a diversion for the children while they and their parents waited for the pictures to begin. The playground equipment included a sky ride, teeter-totter, trapeze, merry-go-round, and swings.8
Ad from The News-Gazette, Friday 3 September 1948. Page 5.
The Courier reported on 16 November 1949, near the end of the season, that a series of improvements to the Twin City Drive-In would be made before mid-March 1950 when the next season would begin. 9
Consulting engineers made plans to increase the light on the screen by 15%, allowing patrons in the rear ramps to see the pictures more clearly. 11
Contractor C.A. Petry and Sons would enlarge and improve the concession stand with the goal of providing better service. The snack bar and working space would grow by 80%. The front of the concession building would be restyled in a modern design. 10
The News-Gazette photo 2 September 1948. Curtesy of the Champaign County Historical Archives in The Urbana Free Library
The surface of the screen was to be reconditioned prior to the spring opening to remove any winter damage. 12
Management noted the playground has proved popular, thus additional equipment would be installed. A new feature in 1950 would be free pony rides. 13
More to come...
NOTES:
1-7 The Urbana Courier, Wednesday, 1 September 1948. Outdoor Movie Opens Friday.”
8 The Urbana Courier, Wednesday, 20 July 1949. “Children’s Playground at Drive-in Theater.”
9-13 The Urbana Courier, 16 November 1949. “Work Planned at Drive-In.”