Drive-in movie theater. Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Theiss bought the land from Ed Monaghan and opened the Waverly Drive-in theater on August 4, 1953, with posts for 300 cars. The 1st movie shown was, "Bonzo Goes to College." By September they were adding another 40 spaces. Bremer County Independent; 25 April 1953p2. One lady remembers as a 7 year old child going with her family to a movie wearing her pajamas. Her parents fully expected her to fall asleep. The movie was "A Summer Place" with Troy Donohue and Sandra Dee. A kissing scene prompted her mother to suggest they leave as it wasn't proper for her to see. Her father's replied that she would be asleep soon. And she was. Her 7 year old mind unscathed. The owners were aware of the ages of many in the audience and chose the movies accordingly. One night the owner previewed and pulled an unrated movie. No movie that night. A replacement was found and the next night the show went on. Eventually attendance slowed and the drive-in closed. It was razed in 1989 and the county garage was built on the site.
Additional photographs and resources can be found at the Waverly Public Library on the local and family history page http://www.waverlyia.com/public-library/research/local-and-family-history-collection.aspx Accession No. 91N0679.
Comments:
Drive-in movie theater. Mr. and Mrs. Ernie Theiss bought the land from Ed Monaghan and opened the Waverly Drive-in theater on August 4, 1953, with posts for 300 cars. The 1st movie shown was, "Bonzo Goes to College." By September they were adding another 40 spaces. Bremer County Independent; 25 April 1953p2. One lady remembers as a 7 year old child going with her family to a movie wearing her pajamas. Her parents fully expected her to fall asleep. The movie was "A Summer Place" with Troy Donohue and Sandra Dee. A kissing scene prompted her mother to suggest they leave as it wasn't proper for her to see. Her father's replied that she would be asleep soon. And she was. Her 7 year old mind unscathed. The owners were aware of the ages of many in the audience and chose the movies accordingly. One night the owner previewed and pulled an unrated movie. No movie that night. A replacement was found and the next night the show went on. Eventually attendance slowed and the drive-in closed. It was razed in 1989 and the county garage was built on the site. Additional photographs and resources can be found at the Waverly Public Library on the local and family history page http://www.waverlyia.com/public-library/research/local-and-family-history-collection.aspx Accession No. 91N0679.