On the weekend of Oct. 14 1993, the 66 Park-In Theater played its final show. On the bill at the Crestwood drive in that weekend were "The Program" and "The Good Son."
Over the years, the "66" became a gathering place, as much a part of the community as the corner dime store or neighborhood sandlot. But the theater outlived those other institutions.
When the theater closed for the season in 1993, no one knew whether it would reopen next spring. But the following month the Crestwood Board of Alderman approved a permit for National Super Markets to push ahead with commercial redevelopment of the drive-in on Watson Road.Â
While the 66 Park-In was neither the first, nor the only, drive-in theater in the area, something separated it from the rest.
Perhaps it was the distinction of resting alongside what many still consider to have been the main artery of American highways, Route 66.
Remember these 24 long-gone St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· treasures?
Irv's Grill
Irv's Grill, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Photo courtesy of STL-Style
Marquette Hotel
The Marquette Hotel, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·."
Miss Jim
Two women with Miss Jim the elephant at the St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· Zoo in 1925, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Photo by W.C. Persons, Photographs and Prints Collections, Missouri History Museum
W.C. Persons
Noah's Ark
Noah's Ark, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·."
Nuns on Admiral
Five sisters studying at St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· University relax on the Terrace Garden deck of the Admiral in 1955, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Photo by Edward Goldberger, Missouri History Museum Photographs and Prints collections
Missouri History Museum
Rapp's Supermarket and Tavern
Fred Rapp Supermarket and Tavern at 3011 Watson Road in 1940, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Photo by W.C. Persons, Missouri Historical Society Photographs and Prints Collections
W.C. Persons
Schnaider's Beer Garden
The entrance gate at Schnaider's Beer Garden, on Chouteau Avenue between Mississippi and Armstrong, circa 1880, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Stereograph photograph by Boehl and Koenig, Missouri Historical Society Photographs and Prints Collections
SS President
The SS President, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·."
St. Paul Excursion Boat
St. Paul Excursion Boat, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·."
Walsh Stadum Football Ticket
A Walsh Stadium football ticket, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·."
Streetcars
Streetcars at Vandeventer and Chouteau avenues in 1925, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Missouri History Museum Photographs and Prints Collections
Famous Barr Department Store
Famous Barr Department Store at 7425 Forsyth Boulevard in 1952, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Photo by Dorrill Studio, Missouri History Museum Photograph and Prints Collection
Streetside Records
Streetside Records, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Courtesy of STL-Style
The Green Parrot
The Green Parrot, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·."
The Orient Restaurant
The Orient Restaurant, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·."
Trader Vic's
Trader Vic's, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·."
Busch Stadium II
The Cardinals play the Astros in 1966 at Busch Stadium II, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Photo by Ralph D'Oench, Missouri History Museum Photographs and Prints Collections
Admiral
The Admiral, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Missouri Historical Society Photographs and Prints Collections
Joseph Hampel
The Arena
The Arena, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Missouri Historical Society Photographs and Prints Collections
Joseph Hampel
Floating McDonald's
The floating McDonald's on the St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· riverfront, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·."
Coronado Hotel
The Coronado Hotel, at 3701 Lindell Boulevard, circa 1945, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Photo by Ralph D'Oench, Missouri History Museum Photographs and Prints Collections
Eddie Gaedel & the St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· Browns
Eddie Gaedel with other Browns baseball players in the dugout in 1951, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Photo by Dorrill Photographers, Missouri Historical Society Photographs and Prints Collections
Goldenrod Showboat
The Goldenrod Showboat on the St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ· riverfront, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·."
Standard Red Crown Sign
Red Crown Service Station at 981 South Skinker Boulevard in 1946, featured in "Lost Treasures of St. ²»Á¼Ñо¿Ëùµ¼º½ÍøÖ·." Photo by Joseph Hampel, Missouri Historical Society Photographs and Prints Collections
Joseph Hampel
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