Mitchell Theaters
BEL-AIR DRIVE-IN THEATER
The Bel-Air Drive-In Theater opened in about February 1955 as a
single-screen drive-in. It was located on E. Chain of Rocks Road
(Historic Route 66) in Mitchell, Illinois (now part of Granite
City). It was originally part of the Mid-American Theater chain
based in St. Louis. In the 1970s, a second theater screen was
erected. The Bel-Air could accommodate about 700 cars. The drive-in
included a tiny indoor seating area, with a large picture window for
during cold weather (the theater was open year-round).
BAC Theater chain operated the drive-in from 1982 until it closed in
1987. The theater was demolished by the mid-1990s, except for its
colorful marquee. The marquee was taken down, however, in July 2018.
Half of the sign was sold to Nathan Lippe, a collector in Hanover
Park, Illinois, and the other half went to a man in North Dakota. An
industrial park now occupies the property.
