Litchfield in Montgomery County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
Endless Nights
The Sky View Drive-In
Photographed By Jason Voigt, October 2, 2020
1. Endless Nights Marker
This is a newly refurbished marker that replaced the old one which had lots of wear.
Like most outdoor theaters, the Sky View always had a busy playground below the screen where the children played before the movie began.
The Sky View is the last original Route 66 drive-in theater in Illinois. Enjoying movies under the stars was a novel experience in 1950 when this theater opened - a time when most people didn't own a black-and-white TV. Drive-ins were popular gathering places for families, friends and couples.
An automobile provided privacy for couples on romantic dates or for families to tuck in the youngsters for a night’s sleep while mom and dad watched the movie.
Photo caption:
The Sky View's grand opening in 1950
“It did more to upset life in Litchfield than when Walmart came to town. It was unthinkable that you would wait till dark to watch a movie and stay out so late. This was a farm community you know.” - Walter “Chic” Bishop
Memories
Press to hear Litchfield residents reminisce about their evenings at the Sky View Drive-In.
Erected by Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment
this page online
Location. 39° 11.124′ N, 89° 39.868′ W. Marker is in Litchfield, Illinois, in Montgomery County. Marker is on Old Route 66 N, on the right when traveling north. Marker is in front of Sky View Drive-In. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1600 Old Route 66 N, Litchfield IL 62056, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Litchfield, Illinois (approx. 0.4 miles away); Fine Dining on Rte 66 (approx. half a mile away); The Ariston Café, Litchfield, Illinois (approx. 0.6 miles away); Schutt Mosaic (approx. 0.6 miles away); George Gustavus Lafferty (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Litchfield Car and Machine Company (approx. 0.6 miles away); The Vic Suhling Sign (approx. 0.6 miles away); Litchfield Museum & Route 66 Welcome Center (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Litchfield.
More about this marker. Some time between mid-2019 to late-2020, both wayside exhibit markers in Litchfield (the other being in front of Ariston Cafe) were replaced with new markers. Both had
Photographed By Jason Voigt, August 14, 2019
2. Endless Nights Marker
The Sky View Drive-In, view from across the road. Historical marker is seen where the sidewalk ends.
Photographed By Jim Kirby, June 2003
3. Cars in 66 Formation at the Skyview Drive-In
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia, and https://www.fhwa.dot.gov/byways/photos/58755
Credits. This page was last revised on November 10, 2020. It was originally submitted on August 27, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 229 times since then and 8 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on November 10, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 2. submitted on August 27, 2019, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. 3. submitted on November 10, 2020, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.
