The Super Chief marquee, as depicted in a 1954 trade-magazine ad.
Super Chief Drive-In
11901 Livingston Rd., Fort Washington,
Md.
capacity: 642 cars
years of operation: 1953-84
currently: fringe parking area for bus and carpool commuters
Southern Prince George's County underwent a veritable explosion of new drive-in openings in the summer months of 1953; the Super Chief, opened on June 7 by the local Louis Bernheimer circuit, was the first of four that debuted between June and August, including the Hillside, the Ranch and the ABC, which was built just a couple of miles up the road. In 1964, the Wineland circuit, owners of the ABC, bought the Super Chief to eliminate the competition. The original long entranceway off Livingston Road, "straight out of Disney with cute little wagon wheels lining it and clever lighting" as described by the Washington Post in 1977, was obliterated by the Old Fort Foote Shopping Center around 1980, and a new one was built off adjoining Swan Creek Road.
Click here to see a 1985 USGS map of the Super Chief Drive-In
and surrounding area (note: the data used were collected before the shopping
center was built).
Click here to see a 1988 aerial photo of the closed drive-in.
The Super Chief marquee, as depicted in a 1954 trade-magazine ad.
The snack bar of the closed drive-in in 1987 (Southwestern-style interior
not shown).
From happier times, namely 1977: a 9-year-old Alan Beauvais in his hometown
drive-in. Thanks to him for the above two photos.
Another view of the snack bar. Shown in the background are commuters' cars
occupying the "park and ride" section of the lot, as it was then.
Above two photos taken 1988 by Greg Laxton.
Got some additional information, or some pictures or stories about this drive-in you'd like to share? Email me -- thanks!
|
