The Complete Story
The Sky View Drive-In opened in the spring of 1950 and has been showing movies under the stars for 75 years, making it the last originally operating drive-in theater on Historic Route 66 in Illinois and one of only four remaining on Route 66 nationwide. The drive-in was inducted into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame in 1998.
The original owner/operator was Frisina Enterprises, a company that operated numerous theaters across Illinois. Over the decades, ownership passed to Mid America Theaters and then to Norman and Del Paul. On March 1, 2016, the Sky View was purchased by Pastro Properties Inc, comprised of Mike, Debbie, Nick and Mindy Pastrovich, who have dedicated themselves to preserving this piece of Americana.
The drive-in features a wayside exhibit at the front of the property commemorating its Route 66 heritage. Unlike many drive-ins that fell to development, the Sky View has remained true to its roots - a place where families can pack the car with pillows and blankets, tune the radio to the movie's audio, and watch double features under the Illinois night sky. In an age of streaming and multiplexes, the Sky View Drive-In remains a beloved time capsule of 1950s America.
Surprising Facts You Didn't Know
→ One of only 4 original Route 66 drive-in theaters still operating in the nation
→ Inducted into the Route 66 Association of Illinois Hall of Fame in 1998
→ Currently celebrating 75 years of continuous operation (since 1950)
→ Features a Route 66 wayside exhibit at the entrance
→ Original owner Frisina Enterprises operated multiple theaters across Illinois
Frequently Asked Questions
Visit Sky View Drive-In
✓ You Can Visit Today
Address: undefined, Litchfield, IL 62056
What's There Now: Still operating as a seasonal drive-in theater showing first-run movies. Open spring through fall.
GPS Coordinates: 39.1855506, -89.6629257
Photo Tip: Best photographed in early morning or late afternoon when the Illinois light brings out the building's character.
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