Drive-in Theatres

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FLORIDA

The Trail Drive-In [gone]
Sarasota, FL

There is scant information available about the Trail Drive-in. It was on Tamiami Trail and could hold 500 cars. There was a small train that went around the screen and a children's playground. In 2001, only the marquee was still standing but that is most likely gone since a high rise hotel was being built on the site. For more info, see this website.

Fran-Linn Drive-in [closed]
Mulberry, FL		 Thunderbird Drive-in
[now Swap Shop Drive-in]
Fort Lauderdale, FL

The Fran-Linn Drive-in has a concrete, Art Deco looking screen tower. The movie was visible from the highway. It looks like it's been sitting idle for decades. For more, see this website.

The Thunderbird Drive-in opened in 1963. In 1966, the property began double-duty as a flea market. The successful Swap Shop expanded over the years into a permanent indoor flea market which is open 7 days a week. In the early 1990s, the Thunderbird added concerts. The drive-in continues to operate year-round. It now has 13 screens, making it the largest drive-in in the U.S. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

Silver Moon Drive-in
Lakeland, FL

The Silver Moon Drive-in opened in 1948. The screen tower once had a mural of a beach with water and palm trees. But in 1950, the tower was severely damaged by a tornado and it had to be rebuilt. It reopened the same year. In 1952, the neon signage was added, and, in 1985, a second screen was added. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. [night photos 2005, day photos 2009]