");vwo_$('head').append(_vwo_sel);return vwo_$('head')[0] && vwo_$('head')[0].lastChild;})("HEAD")}}},rules:[{"tags":[{"metricId":0,"data":{"type":"g","campaigns":[{"g":6,"c":39}]},"id":"metric"}],"triggers":["12454059"]},{"tags":[{"metricId":951908,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":63}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951908,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":6,"c":16}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951908,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":54}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951908,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":55}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951908,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":64}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951908,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":48}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951908,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":59}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951908,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":61}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951908,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":62}]},"id":"metric"}],"triggers":["8639604"]},{"tags":[{"metricId":0,"data":{"type":"g","campaigns":[{"g":7,"c":39}]},"id":"metric"}],"triggers":["12454062"]},{"tags":[{"data":"campaigns.63","id":"runCampaign","priority":4},{"data":"campaigns.16","id":"runCampaign","priority":4},{"data":"campaigns.54","id":"runCampaign","priority":4},{"data":"campaigns.55","id":"runCampaign","priority":4},{"data":"campaigns.64","id":"runCampaign","priority":4},{"data":"campaigns.48","id":"runCampaign","priority":4},{"data":"campaigns.61","id":"runCampaign","priority":4},{"data":"campaigns.62","id":"runCampaign","priority":4}],"triggers":["10589191"]},{"tags":[{"data":"campaigns.59","id":"runCampaign","priority":4}],"triggers":["12629112"]},{"tags":[{"data":"campaigns.39","id":"runCampaign","priority":4}],"triggers":["12454053"]},{"tags":[{"metricId":959033,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":63}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959033,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":39}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959033,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":16}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959033,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":54}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959033,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":55}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959033,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":64}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959033,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":48}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959033,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":59}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959033,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":61}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959033,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":62}]},"id":"metric"}],"triggers":["8536415"]},{"tags":[{"metricId":959030,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":63}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959030,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":39}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959030,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":16}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959030,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":54}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959030,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":55}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959030,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":64}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959030,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":48}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959030,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":59}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959030,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":61}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959030,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":62}]},"id":"metric"}],"triggers":["8536412"]},{"tags":[{"metricId":0,"data":{"type":"g","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":16}]},"id":"metric"}],"triggers":["12639747"]},{"tags":[{"metricId":0,"data":{"type":"g","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":39}]},"id":"metric"}],"triggers":["12454056"]},{"tags":[{"metricId":951905,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":63}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951905,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":39}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951905,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":16}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951905,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":54}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951905,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":55}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951905,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":64}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951905,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":48}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951905,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":59}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951905,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":61}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":951905,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":62}]},"id":"metric"}],"triggers":["8459768"]},{"tags":[{"metricId":959027,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":63}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959027,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":39}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959027,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":1,"c":16}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959027,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":54}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959027,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":55}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959027,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":64}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959027,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":5,"c":48}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959027,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":2,"c":59}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959027,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":4,"c":61}]},"id":"metric"},{"metricId":959027,"data":{"type":"m","campaigns":[{"g":3,"c":62}]},"id":"metric"}],"triggers":["8536409"]},{"tags":[{"id":"groupCampaigns","priority":2},{"id":"prePostMutation","priority":3}],"triggers":["8"]},{"tags":[{"id":"visibilityService","priority":2}],"triggers":["9"]},{"tags":[{"id":"runTestCampaign"}],"triggers":["2"]},{"tags":[{"id":"urlChange"}],"triggers":["75"]},{"tags":[{"id":"checkEnvironment"}],"triggers":["5"]}],pages:{"pc":[{"141375":{"inc":["o",["url","urlReg","(?i)^https?\\:\\\/\\\/(w{3}\\.)?mprnews\\.org\\\/story.*"],["url","urlReg","(?i)^https?\\:\\\/\\\/(w{3}\\.)?mprnews\\.org\\\/episode.*"]]}}],"ec":[{"1625289":{"inc":["o",["url","urlReg","(?i).*"]]}},{"2121531":{"inc":["o",["pg","eq","141375"]]}}]},pagesEval:{"pc":[141375],"ec":[1625289,2121531]},stags:{}}})(); ;;var commonWrapper=function(argument){if(!argument){argument={valuesGetter:function(){return{}},valuesSetter:function(){},verifyData:function(){return{}}}}const getVisitorUuid=function(){if(window._vwo_acc_id>=1037725){return window.VWO&&window.VWO.get("visitor.id")}else{return window.VWO._&&window.VWO._.cookies&&window.VWO._.cookies.get("_vwo_uuid")}};var pollInterval=100;var timeout=6e4;return function(){var accountIntegrationSettings={};var _interval=null;function waitForAnalyticsVariables(){try{accountIntegrationSettings=argument.valuesGetter();accountIntegrationSettings.visitorUuid=getVisitorUuid()}catch(error){accountIntegrationSettings=undefined}if(accountIntegrationSettings&&argument.verifyData(accountIntegrationSettings)){argument.valuesSetter(accountIntegrationSettings);return 1}return 0}var currentTime=0;_interval=setInterval((function(){currentTime=currentTime||performance.now();var result=waitForAnalyticsVariables();if(result||performance.now()-currentTime>=timeout){clearInterval(_interval)}}),pollInterval)}}; var pushBasedCommonWrapper=function(argument){var firedCamp={};if(!argument){argument={integrationName:"",getExperimentList:function(){},accountSettings:function(){},pushData:function(){}}}return function(){window.VWO=window.VWO||[];const getVisitorUuid=function(){if(window._vwo_acc_id>=1037725){return window.VWO&&window.VWO.get("visitor.id")}else{return window.VWO._&&window.VWO._.cookies&&window.VWO._.cookies.get("_vwo_uuid")}};var sendDebugLogsOld=function(expId,variationId,errorType,user_type,data){try{var errorPayload={f:argument["integrationName"]||"",a:window._vwo_acc_id,url:window.location.href,exp:expId,v:variationId,vwo_uuid:getVisitorUuid(),user_type:user_type};if(errorType=="initIntegrationCallback"){errorPayload["log_type"]="initIntegrationCallback";errorPayload["data"]=JSON.stringify(data||"")}else if(errorType=="timeout"){errorPayload["timeout"]=true}if(window.VWO._.customError){window.VWO._.customError({msg:"integration debug",url:window.location.href,lineno:"",colno:"",source:JSON.stringify(errorPayload)})}}catch(e){window.VWO._.customError&&window.VWO._.customError({msg:"integration debug failed",url:"",lineno:"",colno:"",source:""})}};var sendDebugLogs=function(expId,variationId,errorType,user_type){var eventName="vwo_debugLogs";var eventPayload={};try{eventPayload={intName:argument["integrationName"]||"",varId:variationId,expId:expId,type:errorType,vwo_uuid:getVisitorUuid(),user_type:user_type};if(window.VWO._.event){window.VWO._.event(eventName,eventPayload,{enableLogs:1})}}catch(e){eventPayload={msg:"integration event log failed",url:window.location.href};window.VWO._.event&&window.VWO._.event(eventName,eventPayload)}};const callbackFn=function(data){if(!data)return;var expId=data[1],variationId=data[2],repeated=data[0],singleCall=0,debug=0;var experimentList=argument.getExperimentList();var integrationName=argument["integrationName"]||"vwo";if(typeof argument.accountSettings==="function"){var accountSettings=argument.accountSettings();if(accountSettings){singleCall=accountSettings["singleCall"];debug=accountSettings["debug"]}}if(debug){sendDebugLogs(expId,variationId,"intCallTriggered",repeated)}if(singleCall&&(repeated==="vS"||repeated==="vSS")||firedCamp[expId]){return}window.expList=window.expList||{};var expList=window.expList[integrationName]=window.expList[integrationName]||[];if(expId&&variationId&&["VISUAL_AB","VISUAL","SPLIT_URL"].indexOf(_vwo_exp[expId].type)>-1){if(experimentList.indexOf(+expId)!==-1){firedCamp[expId]=variationId;var visitorUuid=getVisitorUuid();var pollInterval=100;var currentTime=0;var timeout=6e4;var user_type=_vwo_exp[expId].exec?"vwo-retry":"vwo-new";var interval=setInterval((function(){if(expList.indexOf(expId)!==-1){clearInterval(interval);return}currentTime=currentTime||performance.now();var toClearInterval=argument.pushData(expId,variationId,visitorUuid);if(debug&&toClearInterval){sendDebugLogsOld(expId,variationId,"",user_type);sendDebugLogs(expId,variationId,"intDataPushed",user_type)}var isTimeout=performance.now()-currentTime>=timeout;if(isTimeout&&debug){sendDebugLogsOld(expId,variationId,"timeout",user_type);sendDebugLogs(expId,variationId,"intTimeout",user_type)}if(toClearInterval||isTimeout){clearInterval(interval)}if(toClearInterval){window.expList[integrationName].push(expId)}}),pollInterval||100)}}};window.VWO.push(["onVariationApplied",callbackFn]);window.VWO.push(["onVariationShownSent",callbackFn])}}; var surveyDataCommonWrapper=function(argument){if(!argument){argument={getCampaignList:function(){return[]},surveyStatusChange:function(){},answerSubmitted:function(){}}}return function(){window.VWO=window.VWO||[];function getValuesFromAnswers(answers){var values=[];for(var i=0;i=timeout;if(toClearInterval||isTimeout){clearInterval(interval)}}),pollInterval)}}window.VWO.push(["onSurveyShown",function(data){commonSurveyCallback(data,argument.surveyStatusChange,"surveyShown")}]);window.VWO.push(["onSurveyCompleted",function(data){commonSurveyCallback(data,argument.surveyStatusChange,"surveyCompleted")}]);window.VWO.push(["onSurveyAnswerSubmitted",function(data){commonSurveyCallback(data,argument.answerSubmitted,"surveySubmitted")}])}}; (function(){var VWOOmniTemp={};window.VWOOmni=window.VWOOmni||{};for(var key in VWOOmniTemp)Object.prototype.hasOwnProperty.call(VWOOmniTemp,key)&&(window.VWOOmni[key]=VWOOmniTemp[key]);;})();(function(){window.VWO=window.VWO||[];var pollInterval=100;var _vis_data={};var intervalObj={};var analyticsTimerObj={};var experimentListObj={};window.VWO.push(["onVariationApplied",function(data){if(!data){return}var expId=data[1],variationId=data[2];if(expId&&variationId&&["VISUAL_AB","VISUAL","SPLIT_URL"].indexOf(window._vwo_exp[expId].type)>-1){}}])})();; ;var vD=VWO.data||{};VWO.data={content:{"fns":{"list":{"vn":1,"args":{"1":{}}}}},as:"r5.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com",dacdnUrl:"https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com",accountJSInfo:{"ts":1743307717,"rp":30,"noSS":false,"pc":{"t":0,"a":0}}};for(var k in vD){VWO.data[k]=vD[k]};;var gcpfb=function(a,loadFunc,status,err,success){function vwoErr() {_vwo_err({message:"Google_Cdn failing for " + a + ". Trying Fallback..",code:"cloudcdnerr",status:status});} if(a.indexOf("/cdn/")!==-1){loadFunc(a.replace("cdn/",""),err,success); vwoErr(); return true;} else if(a.indexOf("/dcdn/")!==-1&&a.indexOf("evad.js") !== -1){loadFunc(a.replace("dcdn/",""),err,success); vwoErr(); return true;}};window.VWO=window.VWO || [];window.VWO._= window.VWO._ || {};window.VWO._.gcpfb=gcpfb;;var d={cookie:document.cookie,URL:document.URL,referrer:document.referrer};var w={VWO:{_:{}},location:{href:window.location.href,search:window.location.search},_vwoCc:window._vwoCc};;window._vwo_cdn="https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/cdn/";window._vwo_apm_debug_cdn="https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/cdn/";window.VWO._.useCdn=true;window.vwo_eT="br";window._VWO=window._VWO||{};window._VWO.fSeg={};window._VWO.dcdnUrl="/dcdn/settings.js";window.VWO.sTs=1743195132;window._VWO._vis_nc_lib=window._vwo_cdn+"edrv/nc-027330777ece73059cc92c6141e45cb3br.js";var loadWorker=function(url){_vwo_code.load(url, { dSC: true, onloadCb: function(xhr,a){window._vwo_wt_l=true;if(xhr.status===200 ||xhr.status===304){var code="var window="+JSON.stringify(w)+",document="+JSON.stringify(d)+";window.document=document;"+xhr.responseText;var blob=new Blob([code||"throw new Error('code not found!');"],{type:"application/javascript"}),url=URL.createObjectURL(blob);window.mainThread={webWorker:new Worker(url)};window.vwoChannelFW=new MessageChannel();window.vwoChannelToW=new MessageChannel();window.mainThread.webWorker.postMessage({vwoChannelToW:vwoChannelToW.port1,vwoChannelFW:vwoChannelFW.port2},[vwoChannelToW.port1, vwoChannelFW.port2]);if(!window._vwo_mt_f)return window._vwo_wt_f=true;_vwo_code.addScript({text:window._vwo_mt_f});delete window._vwo_mt_f}else{if(gcpfb(a,loadWorker,xhr.status)){return;}_vwo_code.finish("&e=loading_failure:"+a)}}, onerrorCb: function(a){if(gcpfb(a,loadWorker)){return;}window._vwo_wt_l=true;_vwo_code.finish("&e=loading_failure:"+a);}})};loadWorker("https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/cdn/edrv/worker-1135852b6bc11a94eb64017a8d120ad8br.js");;var _vis_opt_file;var _vis_opt_lib;if(window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.previewExtraSettings!=undefined&&window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.previewExtraSettings.isSurveyPreviewMode){var surveyHash=window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.plugins.LIBINFO.SURVEY_DEBUG_EVENTS.HASH;var param1="evad.js?va=";var param2="&d=debugger_new";var param3="&sp=1&a=940895&sh="+surveyHash;_vis_opt_file=vwoCode.use_existing_jquery&&typeof vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()!=="undefined"?vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()?param1+"vanj"+param2:param1+"va_gq"+param2:param1+"edrv/va_gq-3adf809ea7b0629d1cfde6b0f4969635br.js"+param2;_vis_opt_file=_vis_opt_file+param3;_vis_opt_lib="https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/dcdn/"+_vis_opt_file}else if(window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.mode!=undefined&&window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.mode=="PREVIEW"){ var path1 = 'edrv/pd_'; var path2 = window.VWO._.allSettings.dataStore.plugins.LIBINFO.EVAD.HASH + ".js"; ;_vis_opt_file=vwoCode.use_existing_jquery&&typeof vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()!=="undefined"?vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()?path1+"vanj"+path2:path1+"va_gq"+path2:path1+"edrv/va_gq-3adf809ea7b0629d1cfde6b0f4969635br.js"+path2;_vis_opt_lib="https://dev.visualwebsiteoptimizer.com/cdn/"+_vis_opt_file}else{_vis_opt_file=vwoCode.use_existing_jquery&&typeof vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()!=="undefined"?vwoCode.use_existing_jquery()?"edrv/vanj-7340efabe014aa7ac36a54293558de41br.js":"edrv/va_gq-3adf809ea7b0629d1cfde6b0f4969635br.js":"edrv/va_gq-3adf809ea7b0629d1cfde6b0f4969635br.js"}window._vwo_library_timer=setTimeout((function(){vwoCode.removeLoaderAndOverlay&&vwoCode.removeLoaderAndOverlay();vwoCode.finish()}),vwoCode.library_tolerance&&typeof vwoCode.library_tolerance()!=="undefined"?vwoCode.library_tolerance():2500),_vis_opt_lib=typeof _vis_opt_lib=="undefined"?window._vwo_cdn+_vis_opt_file:_vis_opt_lib;var loadLib=function(url){_vwo_code.load(url, { dSC: true, onloadCb:function(xhr,a){window._vwo_mt_l=true;if(xhr.status===200 || xhr.status===304){if(!window._vwo_wt_f)return window._vwo_mt_f=xhr.responseText;_vwo_code.addScript({text:xhr.responseText});delete window._vwo_wt_f;}else{if(gcpfb(a,loadLib,xhr.status)){return;}_vwo_code.finish("&e=loading_failure:"+a);}}, onerrorCb: function(a){if(gcpfb(a,loadLib)){return;}window._vwo_mt_l=true;_vwo_code.finish("&e=loading_failure:"+a);}})};loadLib(_vis_opt_lib);VWO.load_co=function(u,opts){return window._vwo_code.load(u,opts);};;;}}catch(e){_vwo_code.finish();_vwo_code.removeLoaderAndOverlay&&_vwo_code.removeLoaderAndOverlay();_vwo_err(e);window.VWO.caE=1}})();

Skip to Main Content
Skip to audio player to listen live

Create a Free MPR

news profile

for you

Sign up

Already have an account?

By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.

Welcome back

to news for you

Sign in to your profile

New to MPR News?

Welcome back

to news

for you

Reset Password

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?

Welcome back

to news

for you

Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?

ST. PAUL, Minn.

October 12, 2012 9:54 AM

The rise and fall of drive-in movie theaters in Minnesota

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log in Create a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Checking makeup — Dressed as Marilyn Monroe, Jennie Gorbunow, of Cottage Grove, Minn., checks her makeup at Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. Gorbunow competed in the costume contest held during a farewell event at the theater.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Thinking about what to do this weekend? What about catching the final two nights of movies at the Cottage View Drive-In theater in the Twin Cities suburb of Cottage Grove?

• Photos: Good night from Cottage Grove

The outdoor theater is closing after this weekend. It will be torn down and replaced by a Wal-Mart. When the Cottage View closes, there will only be one drive-in movie theater left in the Twin Cities.

Back in the 1970s there were 18 drive-ins in the metro area. Many drive-in owners entered into the business for the real estate investment opportunities. As land value increased, more drive-ins disappeared to make way for new developments.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer invited Dave Kenney to her studio to discuss the rise and fall of the drive-in theater. Dave Kenney is the author of the book "Twin Cities Picture Show" which chronicles the history of cinema in the Twin Cities.

Gallery

1 of 1

Checking makeup — Dressed as Marilyn Monroe, Jennie Gorbunow, of Cottage Grove, Minn., checks her makeup at Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. Gorbunow competed in the costume contest held during a farewell event at the theater.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Turn Up Your Support

MPR News helps you turn down the noise and build shared understanding. Turn up your support for this public resource and keep trusted journalism accessible to all.

Dear reader,

The trustworthy and factual news you find here at MPR News relies on the generosity of readers like you.

Your donation ensures that our journalism remains available to all, connecting communities and facilitating better conversations for everyone.

Will you make a gift today to help keep this trusted new source accessible to all?