Drive-Ins and Suburbs: A Look at the Historical Connection

by
Are drive-ins associated with suburbs?
Drive-ins embodied the suburbanization of middle class families – and created an entirely new way of watching the movies.
Read more on daily.jstor.org

Drive-ins conjure up memories of families crammed into automobiles, nibbling on popcorn, and taking in a movie under the stars. They are a defining representation of American culture. But are drive-ins a suburban phenomenon? Yes, and there is solid cause for it.

The post-World War II baby boom and the consequent expansion of suburbs occurred at the same time as the advent of drive-ins in the 1940s and 1950s. Families moved in droves to the suburbs, drawn by the promises of affordable housing, open space, and a higher standard of living. Because they provided an economical and practical form of entertainment that could be experienced without leaving the comfort of one’s car, drive-ins were a perfect fit for these expansive towns.

Drive-ins proliferated in the decades that followed, and now, there are hundreds of theaters spread out across the country. However, the number of drive-ins fell precipitously as multiplex cinemas became more popular and the auto industry had a downturn, forcing many of them to close.

In Australia, how many drive-ins are still operating? There are now 13 drive-in theaters in Australia that are still open, with the bulk of them being found in rural locations, according to the website Drive-ins Downunder. This is a long cry from the 1960s, when drive-ins were in their heyday and there were over 300 theaters open nationwide.

According to the website Drive-ins.com, there are presently 6 drive-in theaters open in Florida. When compared to the 1950s, when Florida had over 100 operating drive-ins, this is a considerable decline.

So, which drive-in theater is the oldest? The Shankweiler’s Drive-In Theatre in Orefield, Pennsylvania, is the solution. The drive-in theater is still functioning today after opening in 1934, making it the nation’s oldest drive-in theater.

And where is the biggest drive-in theater? The Florida location’s Fort Lauderdale Swap Shop and Drive-In has that distinction. With 14 screens, the cinema has enough for 13,000 automobiles.

In conclusion, there is no denying the historical relationship between drive-ins and suburbs. Drive-in cinemas continue to have a unique place in the hearts of many Americans, serving as a remembrance of simpler times and the joys of outdoor entertainment, despite the fact that the number of drive-ins has substantially decreased over the years.