Theaters in Mitchell, Illinois
Madison County ILGenWeb Coordinator - Beverly Bauser
BEL-AIR 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.
