Fairgrounds in Springfield in Sangamon County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Bel-Air Drive-In

Mitchell, Illinois

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 6, 2023

1. Bel-Air Drive-In Marker

Inscription. The Bel-Air Drive-In was opened by Komm Theaters in 1953. It was a single-screen drive-in, located off historic Route 66. In 1979, a second screen was built. At one time, the Bel-Air Drive-In could accommodate approximately 700 cars. It was closed for good in 1987 and the drive-in was completely demolished in the mid 1990's. For more than 300 years after the drive-in closed the colorful marquee stood at the original entrance. In 2018, the marquee was taken down and sold to sign collectors.

*Neon Legend is 66% Original Size

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Roads & Vehicles. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1953.

Location. 39° 49.948′ N, 89° 38.244′ W. Marker is in Springfield, Illinois, in Sangamon County. It is in Fairgrounds. It can be reached from East Sangamon Avenue west of North Peoria Road (Illinois Route 29). Marker is located at the permanent Route 66 Experience exhibition, on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Touch for map.

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Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 E Sangamon Ave, Springfield IL 62702, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Central Illinois.

It is also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Coliseum (here, next to this marker); Chain of Rocks Motel (here, next to this marker); A. Lincoln Motel (here, next to this marker); Route 66 Experience (a few steps from this marker); Giants on Route 66 in Illinois (within shouting distance of this marker); Route 66 Alignments in Springfield (within shouting distance of this marker); Chain of Rocks Bridge (within shouting distance of this marker); The Illinois State Fairgrounds Route 66 Experience (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Springfield.

Photographed by Jason Voigt, July 6, 2023

2. Bel-Air Drive-In Marker

Marker is located at the permanent Route 66 Experience exhibition, on the Illinois State Fairgrounds. Sign was re-created by Ace Sign Company.

Credits. This page was last revised on December 14, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 12, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 1,319 times since then and 106 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 12, 2023, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.