STARLITE DRIVE-IN THEATRE

While watching fireworks on Independence Day this year, my mind turned to other times, other celebrations of our country’s birthday.  Although I have watched them in many places in our county including the fairgrounds, Wesley, and West Bend, the place that suddenly popped into my head was the Starlite Drive-In Theatre.  A movie and fireworks—what could be better?

THE BIRTH OF THE STARLITE

Located two miles east of Algona right off of Highway 18, the Drive-In drew

Algona Upper Des Moines
June 2, 1949

patrons from a wide area.  The giant screen was located in the southeast corner of the site.  Long rows of parking spaces faced the screen with rises in the ground for the front tires to rest on for ease of viewing by the occupants of the vehicles.  Sound was provided by a speaker that hooked on to the window. 

The projection booth also served as the refreshment stand.  Most regular theatre food could be purchased there—popcorn, candy, soft drinks—as well as hot dogs and hamburgers.  In later years pizza was added to the menu.

The Starlite officially opened on June 10, 1949.  The grand opening featured the film “Drums Along The Mohawk” starring Claudette Colbert and Henry Fonda.  Admission was 50¢ for adults with no charge for “children or car.”

The first season ended on October 28^th of that year.  Attendance had exceeded management’s expectations and they were looking forward to the next year.  However, shortly after the start of the 1950 season, a storm with gale winds up to 75 miles per hour moved through Kossuth County taking down the screen.  Two weeks later it was back up, freshly painted, with heavier supports and more cable added. 

Each year the outdoor theatre would open around the 1^st of April and would run through the end of October, weather permitting.  The showing of the first movie would begin earlier in the spring and fall, with the starting times changing depending on the time of sunset.  Once a week “buck nights” were popular with many and kept the theatre busy on week nights.  Often local businesses would sponsor free admission which was always a big draw.

Algona Upper Des Moines
August 5, 1968

Mom and dad had a large family and each dollar had to stretch in those days so going to the movies was a special event in our house when I was growing up. We would occasionally go if the movie was something we had been dying to see, but most often took advantage of free admission events.  For many years, KLGA was one of those sponsors and in addition to providing free admission, they would also hand out 45 rpm records.  Every person in the car would receive a record while supplies lasted.  What a treat that was!  We would listen to those records for days afterward.

Our family did not frequent the refreshment stand very often.  Instead mom would pop a large container of popcorn and on the way out to the drive-in, we would swing through the A & W and fill our gallon jug with ice cold root beer.  Snuggled in the back seat in our pajamas munching popcorn and drinking A & W root beer—life just doesn’t get much better than that.  Of course, Mom had the back of the station wagon filled with pillows and blankets and, if we didn’t fall asleep in the back seat during the movie, we could crawl in the back whenever we wanted and drift off to dreamland while mom and dad stayed to watch the adult feature which followed the family film that kicked off the night.

DANGEROUS TIMES

Through the years the staff had to deal with various forms of theft and vandalism.  There were always those who tried to sneak in without paying.  (Tell me you never considered a trip through the gates in the trunk or perhaps under a blanket on the floor of the back seat).  Those were the minor infractions though.  On several occasions burglars broke into the concession stand and stole cigarettes or other merchandise. 

A much more dangerous crime occurred on April 5, 1956 when an armed robbery took place during a Thursday evening free gate event.  Earlier in the day two men from Fort Dodge, Carl D. Clymer, 25, and Anthony J. Rodgers, 31, drove to Algona and parked in the vicinity of Bryant School.  They then stole a car which they used to drive to the Starlite.  Using sawed off shotguns and wearing disguises, they walked into the crowded concession stand.  They held 14 persons at bay while they demanded all of the money in the register.  Manager R. M. Phillips and his assistant, Virgil Rohlf, quickly tossed all of the funds available—$165—into a couple of bank bags which were handed over to the robbers.  The two left without causing any physical injuries. 

An extensive manhunt was immediately launched by Sheriff Ralph Lindhorst upon the report of the robbery.  Roadblocks were set up on all main highways out of town and cars were searched.  Meanwhile, the two assailants made it back to Algona.  They wandered aimlessly for a period of time trying to remember where they had parked their car.  It was during this time that one of their guns accidently discharged near the European Hotel.  Manager Firman Laing went to investigate the sound and actually talked to the two strangers.  Shortly thereafter, the men found their car.  They evaded roadblocks by following only country roads back to Fort Dodge.  Clymer even took the time to call in to his employer, National Gypsum Co., and told them he would be late to work due to a flat tire.

Based on witness statements and working with the authorities in Fort Dodge, the investigation led directly to these two suspects.  Five days after the robbery they were taken into custody.  Under questioning by Sheriff Lindhorst and County Attorney Louis Nitchals, the two confessed.  They had come to Algona to steal money to finance legal fees for Clymer who had been charged with illegal possession of firearms.  Clymer had quite a rap sheet.  He had previously been arrested for attempting to rob the cashier at the Hilltop Drive-In theatre in Fort Dodge.  He had also participated in an armed robbery of a grocery store in Fort Dodge.  His involvement in the robbery of the drive-in in Fort Dodge led the authorities to take a closer look.  Rodgers was suspected due to his close involvement with Clymer.  (I guess Mom was right when she used to say, “Birds of a feather flock together!”)  He had a long criminal history as well and had spent five years in prison for auto theft.

Charges of robbery with aggravation and larceny of a motor vehicle were filed against the two.  Justice moved very swiftly.  They both entered pleas of guilty on April 12^th and were sentenced to 25 years in prison.  Only $18 was ever recovered from the stolen funds.

HAPPIER TIMES

Kossuth County Advance
July 1, 1954

Many special promotional events were held at the Drive-In location through the years—everything from Easter egg hunts, to distributing free roses to all mothers for Mother’s Day, to contests to win free season passes, to “Barn Dance” night when KQTV personalities Bob and Dee came for “Hootenanny Night.”  A small playground was erected for children to play while waiting for darkness to fall.  In 1967 a dance area was installed with sound system for playing “Top 40” hits and country western records. 

It was always fun to attend the drive-in with a group of friends.  We enjoyed the freedom to discuss the movie while we were watching which was frowned on at the local theater.  However, depending on the friends you were with, you didn’t want to leave your seat if you had a coveted front row position because when you came back from the concession stand or restroom it would likely be occupied by someone else.  The Starlite was also a popular spot for a date.  Steamy windows often indicated that the occupants were not as interested in the feature as they perhaps should have been.

DRIVE-IN SOLD

All good things must come to an end and by the 1980s drive-ins had lost a lot of their popularity.  The Starlite was no exception.  At the close of the 1981 season, the property was sold to Amos Meyer and the days of the local drive-in theatre came to a close. 

Starlite Drive-In Site 2016

All that is left is the many happy memories of watching feature films on the big screen from the comfort of your own vehicle on a warm summer night. And, of course, of the beautiful fireworks display every July 4^th.

Until next time,

Jean, a/k/a Kossuth County History Buff

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