Stay Curious. Stay Connected.
MailNewsletters♡Donate Now
Sign up
*Password must be at least 8 characters and contain one uppercase letter, one lowercase letter, one number and one symbol.
Already have an account?
By submitting, you consent that you are at least 18 years of age and to receive information about MPR's or APMG entities' programs and offerings. The personally identifying information you provide will not be sold, shared, or used for purposes other than to communicate with you about MPR, APMG entities, and its sponsors. You may opt-out at any time clicking the unsubscribe link at the bottom of any email communication. View our Privacy Policy.
Sign in to your profile
Forgot Password?
New to MPR News?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Reset Password

Enter the username on file and we'll send you a code to reset your password.

Still require assistance or not sure what your User Name is?
Welcome back
to news
for you
Email Verification

A verification code has been emailed to

Still awaiting the code?
ST. PAUL, Minn.

The rise and fall of drive-in movie theaters in Minnesota

Go Deeper.

Create an account or log in to save stories.

Log inCreate a free Account

Like this?

Thanks for liking this story! We have added it to a list of your favorite stories.

Show me!
Checking makeup
Dressed as Marilyn Monroe, Jennie Gorbunow, of Cottage Grove, Minn., checks her makeup at Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. Gorbunow competed in the costume contest held during a farewell event at the theater.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson

Thinking about what to do this weekend? What about catching the final two nights of movies at the Cottage View Drive-In theater in the Twin Cities suburb of Cottage Grove?

• Photos: Good night from Cottage Grove

The outdoor theater is closing after this weekend. It will be torn down and replaced by a Wal-Mart. When the Cottage View closes, there will only be one drive-in movie theater left in the Twin Cities.

Back in the 1970s there were 18 drive-ins in the metro area. Many drive-in owners entered into the business for the real estate investment opportunities. As land value increased, more drive-ins disappeared to make way for new developments.

MPR's Cathy Wurzer invited Dave Kenney to her studio to discuss the rise and fall of the drive-in theater. Dave Kenney is the author of the book "Twin Cities Picture Show" which chronicles the history of cinema in the Twin Cities.

Gallery
1 of 1
Checking makeup
Dressed as Marilyn Monroe, Jennie Gorbunow, of Cottage Grove, Minn., checks her makeup at Cottage View Drive-In in Cottage Grove, Minn. Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012. Gorbunow competed in the costume contest held during a farewell event at the theater.
MPR Photo/Jeffrey Thompson