Carlisle Drive-In Theater Odds 'N Ends

The drive-in as it looked back in the spring of 1990 (D. Brady photo)

Here are a few news clippings about the old Carlisle Drive-In Theater that used to be on Oberlin-Elyria Road (Route 20) out in Carlisle Township. (I first wrote about it back here).

I'll start with an ad (below) announcing the drive-in's gala opening for the 1950 season. It ran in the Chronicle-Telegram on Wednesday, March 29 of that year.

Next is a C-T ad (below) from May 1, 1950 announcing the promotional appearance at the drive-in by "Sunset" Carson and his horse Cactus. It sounds like the show was a lot of fun.

And here's an article (below) from July 5, 1969 – 44 years ago today – that ran in the Chronicle-Telegram explaining how a group of ministers came up with a creative use for the drive-on theater. I think it's a great idea.

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Convenient Christianity in Elyria

The Rev. Charles W. Hamilton, left, and the Rev. Richard
Linde prepare for Sunday worship service starting tomorrow at
the Carlisle Drive-In Theater

A group of Elyria ministers are aiming to make worshipping more available to the community.

They have planned worship services Sundays at 8 a.m. at the Carlisle Drive-In, tomorrow through August.

First United Methodist Church and First Congregational Church have sponsored the "Early-Bird Worship Services" at the theater, Rt. 20 south of Elyria, for six years.

The Rev. Richard Linde, senior pastor of First Congregational, will preach tomorrow and next Sunday, July 13.

THE REV. CHARLES W. Hamilton, senior pastor at First United Methodist, will speak July 20 and July 27.

Superintendent of the Elyria United Methodist Home, the Rev. Leonard Dittman, a member of First United Methodist, will preach Aug. 3, and on Aug. 10 the Rev. Kenneth Morris, associate minister at First United Methodist, will speak.

ASSOCIATE PASTOR at First Congregational, the Rev. Thomas H. Eisentrout, will preach Aug. 16. His wife, the Rev. Virginia A. Eisentrout, also an associate minister at First Congregational, will preach Aug. 24.

On Aug. 31 the Rev. Donald Nichols, pastor of Pilgrim United Church of Christ, will preach.

Music, responsive readings and special prayers will played rom tape recordings during the services. But the preaching, Scripture readings and announcements will be live. Ushers will direct the cars into the drive-in.

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Lastly, I wondered what the Carlisle Drive-In Theater property looks like today. In case you're wondering as well, here's a Bing aerial view. (Click on it for a larger view.)

As you can see, it's being used for storage of trash dumpsters. Also note that the property no longer sits on U.S. 20 since "new 20" was built nearby.