Beverly Drive-In Theater

Beverly Drive-In Theatre was constructed in 1948 in Forrest County, Mississippi, and opened to the public on May 29 of that year. The property was owned by the Hargroder family, who named it Beverly after one of the original owner's daughters. Its principal screen measured about 105 by 75 feet, while the paved viewing area was designed for approximately 500 automobiles. The screen tower featured neon decoration spelling out the Beverly identity with imagery of a moon and shooting stars. In an unusual arrangement, the original owners built their home beneath the main screen. The venue represented the postwar growth of drive-in theaters, which combined motion-picture exhibition with automobile travel and family leisure. It remained in continuous operation under its original ownership for many years. A second screen, approximately 80 by 40 feet, was added in March 1979, expanding the site's programming capacity. Following the original owner's death in 1980, the theater ultimately closed in 1987. Although regular operations ended, the property was used occasionally for special events. The Beverly returned to operation on May 15, 2001, under new management led by Jim Norton and Barbara Suick. Both managers operated other drive-in theaters in several states. The reopening restored the site to active exhibition and, by 2005, the Beverly was regarded as Mississippi's oldest operating drive-in theater. That revival was interrupted by Hurricane Katrina in August 2005. The storm caused major damage to the screens and other buildings. Repairs were limited, and the facility never resumed normal operations. The abandoned and damaged property became a preservation concern. In 2007, the Mississippi Heritage Trust placed the Beverly Drive-In on its list of the ten most endangered historic places in Mississippi. The preservation campaign achieved an important recognition milestone when the theater was entered on the National Register of Historic Places on July 30, 2008. The listing acknowledged the site's historical and cultural value, including its association with the drive-in theater tradition and its architectural features. Recognition did not, however, lead to restoration. On October 30, 2010, a fire of unknown origin completely destroyed the facility. The fire ended the physical history of the theater, leaving its significance primarily in historic records and the surviving account of Mississippi's drive-in cinema heritage.

• 2010

  Facility destroyed by fire

  [1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  A fire of unknown origin completely destroyed the drive-in on October 30.

• 2008

  National Register listing

  [1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The property was added to the National Register of Historic Places on July 30.

• 2007

  Named a Mississippi endangered historic place

  [1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The Mississippi Heritage Trust listed Beverly Drive-In among the state's ten most endangered historic places.

• 2005

  Hurricane Katrina causes major damage

  [1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The storm damaged the screen and buildings, after which the theater did not reopen.

• 2001

  Reopens under new management

  [1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The drive-in reopened on May 15 under Jim Norton and Barbara Suick.

• 1987

  Original operating era ends

  [1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  The theater closed after operating continuously for decades under its original ownership, following the owner's death in 1980.

• 1979

  Second screen added

  [1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  A second screen measuring approximately 80 by 40 feet was added in March.

• 1948

  Theater opens

  [1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Beverly Drive-In Theatre opened on May 29 in Forrest County, Mississippi, under ownership of the Hargroder family.

A regional, family-oriented drive-in cinema and historic roadside entertainment venue serving Hattiesburg and the surrounding Mississippi market.

• Motion-picture exhibition · 1948

  Main-screen drive-in cinema

  The original Beverly Drive-In offering centered on outdoor film screenings viewed from parked automobiles. The primary screen measured approximately 105 by 75 feet, and the paved lot accommodated around 500 vehicles. The screen tower's moon-and-stars neon decoration also functioned as a prominent visual identifier for the venue.

• Motion-picture exhibition · 1979

  Second-screen programming

  From March 1979, the theater operated with a second screen measuring approximately 80 by 40 feet. The additional screen expanded the site's ability to present multiple film programs and strengthened its role as a regional entertainment destination.

• Events · 1987

  Special-event use

  After the theater's 1987 closure, the property continued to be used periodically for special events before its 2001 reopening. The available source material does not identify the specific events or their organizers.

• 2005

  Post-Katrina non-reopeningOther

  Background

  Hurricane Katrina caused extensive damage to the theater's screens and buildings in August 2005.

  Action taken

  Only limited repairs followed the storm, and the venue was not returned to operation.

  Aftermath

  The site entered a prolonged state of disrepair, became a preservation concern, and was later destroyed by fire.

  Source

• 2001

  Reopening under new managementStrategy

  Background

  After the original operating era ended in 1987, the property was brought back into regular use by experienced drive-in operators.

  Action taken

  Jim Norton and Barbara Suick reopened the theater on May 15, operating it alongside other drive-in theaters in several states.

  Aftermath

  The reopening restored Beverly as an active venue and helped it become recognized as Mississippi's oldest operating drive-in by 2005.

  Source

• 1979

  Expansion to a two-screen operationStrategy

  Background

  The established drive-in added a second screen in March 1979, increasing its capacity to offer separate film programs.

  Action taken

  An approximately 80-by-40-foot screen was constructed alongside the original 105-by-75-foot screen.

  Aftermath

  The expansion remained part of the theater's physical configuration until the facility was ultimately destroyed.

  Source

• 2010

  Fire destroys Beverly Drive-In Theatre[1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  A fire of unknown origin on October 30 completely destroyed the theater facility.

• 2008

  Beverly Drive-In Theatre added to the National Register of Historic Places[1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The property received federal historic recognition on July 30, despite its post-Katrina deterioration and inactive status.

• 2007

  Beverly Drive-In Theatre named among Mississippi's most endangered historic places[1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The Mississippi Heritage Trust identified the damaged theater as one of the state's ten most endangered historic places.

• 2005

  Hurricane Katrina damages Beverly Drive-In Theatre[1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The hurricane severely damaged the drive-in's screens and buildings. Insufficient repairs meant that the theater never reopened after the storm.

• 2001

  Beverly Drive-In Theatre reopens under new management[1]Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org

  Other

  The theater resumed operations on May 15 under management led by Jim Norton and Barbara Suick, operators with experience at drive-in theaters in several states.

1. 1Beverly Drive-In Theatreen.wikipedia.org