Crystal Drive-In
between National Highway (US
40) & Braddock Rd., LaVale, Md. (adjacent to Crystal Park and Ballroom)
capacity: 300-350 cars
years of operation: 1952-69
currently: US 40/I-68 interchange
Opened by Edgar Growden and Richard B. Young;
the two also designed the theater, which boasted the Cumberland area's first
concrete screen tower. Entrance was at US 40, exit onto Braddock Rd. Debut
feature on August 9, 1952 was The African Queen.
"Glad to see the old Crystal is gone but not
forgotten. My grandfather was Richard B (Benton) Young and he opened the
drive-in as your article states. I was born in 1960 and grew up with my
parents in a house adjacent to the drive-in. In fact, one childhood memory
has me waking up scared in the middle of the night and walking next door
to the snack bar to find my Mom and Dad.
"There are currently no drive-ins today in Cumberland, but I am sure
with the 'right' financial backing a drive-in would go over there like gangbusters.
Heck, if I had the $ I would return home to manage it myself. What a story
that would make?" -- Dick Young
Got some additional information, or some pictures
or stories about this drive-in you'd like to share? Email me -- thanks!
