By Deb Morinello, West Jefferson Hills Historical Society

Many of us fondly remember the magic of a family trip to the local drive-in theater. Pulling up in your car, paying the admission fee, and parking with the speaker conveniently clipped to your window created the ultimate way to enjoy a movie under the stars. The giant screen towering in front of rows of cars offered a moviegoing experience like no other.

Drive-ins were a beloved entertainment staple during the latter half of the twentieth century. Along with the feature films, these theaters often included snack bars and sometimes even playgrounds, making them the perfect outing for families. West Jefferson Hills was once home to three such theaters along the Route 51 corridor. Sadly, none remain today.

The Colonial Drive-In opened at 400 Elliot Road in Jefferson Hills on May 26, 1950, debuting with Pirates of Capri. This twenty-five-acre venue accommodated up to 500 cars. The Colonial closed its gates in 1987, and today, the site is an empty field.

Just a few miles away, the Echo Drive-In at 380 Wray-Large Road opened on July 2, 1955, featuring Robert Taylor in Many Rivers to Cross and Donna

Corcoran in Gypsy Colt. With a capacity for 1,000 cars, it was the largest of the three. After thirty years of entertainment, the Echo closed on September 15, 1985, with Clint Eastwood in Pale Rider and Mel Gibson in Mad Max marking its final shows. The site has since been completely cleared.

Further down Route 51 in Pleasant Hills was the South Hills Drive-In at 132 Lewis Run Road. This drive-in, known for its huge, eye-catching sign visible from Route 51, opened on May 29, 1959, with four feature films: Kim Novak in Bell, Book and Candle, Tony Curtis in Perfect Furlough, Brigitte Bardot in La Parisienne, and June Kenney in The Spider. The South Hills Drive-In closed on July 31, 1988. Today, the site is home to the Bowser Car Dealership.

Though the Route 51 drive-ins have vanished, their memories remain vivid for those who enjoyed countless evenings watching movies at these outdoor theaters. They remind us of a special time in local entertainment history when the simple joy of a film and a car created timeless family moments.