The Mur Drive-In Movie Theater was across Grand Central Avenue from what is today the Grand Central Mall, in the area of Chick-Fil-A and Home Depot parking lots. (Photo courtesy of Artcraft Studio)

In April of 1949, movie goers in Parkersburg had quite a choice of venues — the Hiehle, Burwell, Parker, the Smoot, Virginia, Strand or the Palace. Just a month later, on May 2, a new, unconventional option became available for movie-goers when the Belpre Open-Air Theater opened. Their newspaper ad was enticing, “Relax, Smoke and Enjoy the Movies in Your Own Car! 2 Shows nightly, Rain or Shine. Adults 50 cents, children free of charge!” The opening movie was Four Faces West starring Joel McCrea and Frances Dea.

Later in that same month of 1949, with much fanfare in the local papers, the Mur Outdoor Theater opened. It was publicized as being on U.S. Rt.# 21 North, across from Stewart Airport. They offered “shows every night, rain or shine.” Their first double-feature movie night was Down To Earth, starring Rita Hayworth and Larry Parks; it was in Technicolor! The second feature was Rose of Santa Rosa, an action, Spanish-style musical.

The Mur and the Belpre Drive-Ins were owned by the same person.

In November of 1950 property at the intersection of Gihon Road and Route #21 in south Parkersburg was leased by C.W. Johnston and Howard Templeton, doing business as the Star Light Auto Drive-In Theater Company. The lure of drive-in theaters had taken hold!

The next two drive-ins were built within three miles of each other, north of Parkersburg in 1952 and ’53. Carl Westbrook built the Jungle Drive-In, just off Rt.#2 North, on the St. Mary’s Pike. As was a common practice at the time, there was a small playground, usually near the screen, for kids to enjoy before it got dark enough for the movie.

John Westbrook, a son of the builder, recalls that his father began construction of the Jungle in the spring of 1952. It opened briefly in the fall of that year, perhaps as a special gift from Carl Westbrook to his wife. The first show was titled, Wait Til the Sun Shines Nellie. Carl’s wife’s name was Nellie.

With a grand-opening in the spring of 1953, the Jungle was the area’s longest running drive-in theater. The screen, which is still standing measures 40 x 72 feet!

Soon after Carl Westbrook opened the Jungle, approximately three miles north on Rt. 2 at Waverly, Sam Matheny and Robert Bunting began construction of the Midway Drive-In. Opening in September of 1953, one of the features at the new drive-in was Massacre River, starring Guy Madison and Rory Calhoun. Also showing was Here Come the Nelsons, with Ozzie, Harriet, David and Ricky.

For whatever reasons, Midway was only in business for two or three years.

Another early drive-in was the Riverside, located between Belpre and Marietta.

Following the building of the Grand Central Mall, and the ensuing commercial business boom in the area, the Mur was sold as was the Belpre Drive-In. Attempting to replace their loss, and the earlier closing of the Star Light Drive-in on the east end of Gihon Road, the Sundowner Drive-In was built and opened on the west end of Gihon Road. It too is now closed and is today primarily remembered as the place where the body of a murdered girl was found. The giant screen of the Sundowner can still be seen along Gihon Road.

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical and Preservation Society. If you have comments or questions about Look Back items, please contact him at: roberteenoch@gmail.com, or by mail at WCHPS, PO Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.