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Sky-Hi Drive-In Theatre
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3110 Old Highway 63 S
Columbia MO
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| Record #8244 |
Opened: 1965
Closed: 1985
Demolished: Yes (date unknown)
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Capacity: 700 cars
Architect(s):
Architectural Style(s):
National Register:
Current Organ: none |
| Also Known As: |
| Previously operated by: Commonwealth Theatres |
Information for this tour was contributed by Darren Snow. The Sky-Hi, which cost over $175,000 to build, was another of Roy Tucker's Commonwealth drive-ins. Huge newspaper ads on opening day repeated the image of the Sky-Hi's distinctive sign. A ribbon was cut at 6:30, after which each patron received a "free loot bag!" Atop the snack bar, a "Sky-Hi Disc-A'-Go-Go Girl" danced nonstop to the latest hits. Prizes were drawn, rockets were launched, and a "30-bomb salute" commemorated Commonwealth's thirty years in Columbia. "Happy Hi, the Sky-Hi Clown" entertained kids at the playground. The screen was 105 x 50', and 20' off the ground. (A tornado that was spotted in Columbia the night before the grand opening must have had the management a little worried, but no damage was done.) The Sky-Hi had the largest air-conditioned snack bar in mid-Missouri, and room for 700 cars.
The first manager was five-year Commonwealth veteran Richard Ytell, who had been managing the Broadway Drive-In since winter '64.
The Sky-Hi's driveway now leads to the Superior Garden Center; the rusty light standards at the entrance may be the last remaining piece of the original drive-in.
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Last featured 7/3/2004. Last edited 4/11/2014.
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