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The Rise and Fall of America's Drive-In Theaters

The Rise and Fall of America's Drive-In Theaters

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 Drive-in theaters, iconic symbols of mid-20th-century Americana, emerged in the 1930s and flourished in the 1950s as family-friendly venues. Changing social trends, competition from indoor theaters, economic pressures, and home entertainment led to their decline by the 1980s. Some sites became flea markets or stores, but a cult revival and the COVID-19 pandemic sparked renewed interest. Today, fewer than 550 remain, with most lost to time or redevelopment.

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