![]() In 2011, the Drive In was purchased by two families who have been longtime supporters of the The Honeywell Foundation. The 13-24 Drive In has been a part of Wabash’s social fabric for 64 years. The first movie shown at the drive-in was “Ali Baba and the Forty Thieves” in Technicolor. Local businesses showed their support of the new drive-in with ads in the Wabash Plain Dealer including the Baer Lumber Company, Sears Robuck and Co., Yarnelle Lumber Co., and Wabash Co. 50 for adults and free for kids 12 and under. Opening day for the 13-24 Drive In finally arrived on August 23, 1951. The newly selected name “13-24 Drive In” would incorporate the outline of the 13 and 24 road signs along the two highways to be used in ads for the movies – and still are today. Don Alger was chosen from 235 entries for naming the theater. Judges announced that the name “13-24 Drive In” had been chosen for the new theater on State Road 13 a short distance north of the intersection with Federal Road 24. ![]() Interestingly, prior to the drive-in’s opening, a contest was held to see who could come up with a name for the newly established drive-in. The original screen was one of the largest in its day at 58’ x 44’ and had a projection throw of 397 feet which was the longest in the state at that time. The theater could accommodate up to 750 cars with the newest state of the art speakers for quality sound and elevated parking for the best possible angle to see the movie out of your windshield. Of these original buildings, the ticket booth and concession stand are still being used today. The original facilities included the drive-through ticket booth, the concession stand and a shed housing the kiddie train. All materials used in the construction of the theater were purchased locally more than a year prior and were kept in storage until construction began.Ĭonstruction began on a plot of ground that covered 17 acres. The inception of the Wabash drive-in was inspired by Hoosier native Truman Rembusch who began construction on the drive in theater in 1949. However, with the passing of time and the increase of multiplex cinemas, the novelty of drive-in theaters wore off and soon many were closing their gates for good. ![]() At that time, outdoor theaters had become a popular venue for inexpensive entertainment for the entire family. Four years later, that number increased to 820, and in 1958 the number peaked to a whopping 5,000 theaters across the nation. When drive-ins first caught on in 1946, there were only 155 drive-in theaters in the United States. It boasts one of the largest outdoor screens in Indiana, and better yet, it is still open seasonally from May to September. What makes the theater an icon is that it is one of the few thriving drive-in theaters in the United States. Wabash may be known as the “first electrically lighted city in the world,” but the 13-24 Drive In Theater has illuminated countless nights with movie lights for decades. Let Autumn Trace provide everything your mom and dad need to return to a time when you and your family were confident about their life on their own.If you find yourself traveling the back roads of Indiana looking for a bit of nostalgia, take State Road 13 through the charming city of Wabash and you won’t be disappointed. ![]() Schedule your tour today and find peace of mind. Once you get a glimpse of the life they could enjoy at Autumn Trace, we will guide you through everything you need to make moving in simple. Select a time that works for you and your family to visit us today and experience what a typical day would be like for your mom or dad. Now we’re here to help you and your family find the same sense of renewal and relief those families found after choosing Autumn Trace. But for more than 20 years, our team has done things differently, providing unparalleled service to hundreds of Indiana families just like yours - without sacrificing our residents’ independence. Many of our residents and their families have had the same debate your family is having right now. ![]() We know how emotional this decision can be. It shouldn’t be so difficult to figure out how to take care of your mom and dad, without them feeling like they can’t take care of themselves. The problem is you don’t know where to start when it comes to finding that team who can take away your worries without robbing Mom and Dad of their independence. Wouldn’t it be great if you could go back in time when you weren’t worried about them living at home on their own? When you were just their son or daughter?īoth are possible with the right team by your side. Worrying about Mom and Dad is starting to take its toll. ![]()
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