Reminisce about the Grayslake Outdoor Theater Feb. 18
The Grayslake Outdoor Theater is gone but it will not be forgotten by those attending a Reminisce Session hosted by the Grayslake Historical Society at 10 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 18, in the Community Room of the Grayslake Heritage Center and Museum, 164 Hawley St., Grayslake.
Former employees, along with people who watched the movies in their cars and trucks, will join to share and relive their memories. The program, lasting about an hour, is free. Coffee will be served.
The drive-in theater opened on April 16, 1949, as the Grayslake Family Outdoor Theater on Route 120, a block east of Route 83. It is now the site of a Jewel-Osco shopping center.
Ground was broken on the Maple Line farm on June 25, 1948, for the $300,000, 1,200-car theater. The theater's premier double feature in 1949 starred Lassie in "The Hills of Home" and John Wayne in "The Three Godfathers."
Frederick W. Dobe was the president and owner of the theater in the early years. He also built the Liberty Theater in Libertyville. In the later years, the theater was purchased by Hank Rhyan, who also owned theaters in Antioch, Libertyville and Zion. He also built the McHenry Outdoor Theater.
In addition to providing movies, the theater hosted Easter sunrise services, fireworks on the Fourth of July and a flea market on Sundays.
While waiting for the show to begin, children played in their pajamas on the playground under the gigantic screen. Refreshments were sold in a specially designed food court under the 90-foot screen.
In November, 1987, the Grayslake Outdoor became the only drive-in theater in Lake County with the closing of the Waukegan Outdoor Theater at Route 41 and Washington Street.
On Sept. 6, 1998, the lights went up and then out for the final time at the theater. The closing weekend double feature was Tom Hanks in "Saving Private Ryan" and Wesley Snipes in "Blade."
When the theater closed, there were 19 drive-in movie theaters left in Illinois.
The public is invited to this free event. For more information call the Grayslake Historical Society, at (847) 223-7663 or (847) 543-1745.