The rise and fall of drive-in movie theaters in Minnesota
ST. PAUL, Minn. — 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.
