Nice story and great Drive-In. They even have Funnel cakes.
History of the Swan Drive In Theatre
In 1955 Jack and "H" (W.H. Tilley, jr.) built the Swan Drive In Theatre that is located on 651 Summit Street, Blue Ridge, Ga. Building this drive-in was a real challenge. Locating a piece of property large enough that was suitable for a drive-in theatre would turn into a big problem. The first property purchased for the drive-in was on E. First Street where Blue Ridge Supply and several other buildings are now located. They would be forced to build a tall fence on the street side of this property to keep the car lights from shining on the screen, they were advised by engineers that the property was not suitable. The City Of Blue Ridge owned a large area of property known as the Willingham Circle and they were able to lease several acres from the City, on which, to build a drive-in theatre. The property they leased had large gullies, hills and valleys that had to be graded. The grading was much more than had been expected and several times they almost gave up. They considered quitting as it was such a large job, after they started the grading they hit slate rock and dynamite was the only thing that could move it. The grading was done by Mr. Raleigh Hembree, a local man that was an expert at his work whom encouraged them to keep on trying. After the land was graded, wired for the speakers, paved, the concession stand and the box office built, there was another LARGE problem. The screen tower would have to built on the ground and then raised in parts. There was not a crane any nearer than Atlanta that was big and tall enough to lift the screen tower. A crane large enough to lift it was found at Atlanta Steel Erectors, many of the construction workers and 'lookers-on" held their breath as this job was completed. The cost of the crane was one hundred dollars. This drive in theatre was the beginning of the real growth of Blue Ridge. People came from miles around to see movies on a large screen.
Why the Drive In Was Named Swan
During World War 11, Mr. Tilley was stationed in England part of the time before being sent into The Omaha Beach Landing in the Normandy Invasion, while in England he admired the Swans swimming on the lakes and ponds. They were so beautiful and peaceful he suggested this name "Swan" for the new drive-in. Mr. Jones also liked the name as it was short and would be easy to use a neon sign with. This is why the drive-in was named "SWAN". Mr. Jones served in the Marines before World War 2. During the first part of the World War 2, he was stationed in Panama helping build an Air Force Base, next he helped in the construction of an Air Force Base in West Palm Beach Florida.
Jack Jones Sr. and W.H. Tilley, jr. operated these theatres until 1959 when Mr. Tilley sold to Mr. Jones. The Swan Drive-In is still operating and is one of four Drive-In theatres left in the state of Georgia. The locations of the other three are Atlanta, Jessup and Tiger, Georgia.
History page written by Blanch Tilley and approved by Mrs. Jack Jones.
Jack Jones, Sr. passed away in 1980.
Mrs. Jack E. Jones passed away on Dec. 6th, 2010.
W. H. Tilley passed away on January 17th, 2011