Swan Drive In

   One of four remaining drive-in theaters in Georgia, the Swan offers first-run movies year round.
   651 Summit Street, Blue Ridge
   Call - 706-632-5235

For Information - First-run Movies Showing Now - http://www.swan-drive-in.com/now_showing.htm

    HISTORY OF THE SWAN DRIVE IN THEATRE

   In 1949, Jack Jones, Sr., Bernice Kiker Tilley, and W.H. Tilley, Jr. (known as "H" Tilley) purchased the Rialto and Royal
   Theatres, Blue Ridge, Georgia, from Willard and Betty Mowbray. Shortly after the purchase, Bernice sold her interest to
   Jack and "H". The Rialto Theatre had been built in 1946 and 1947. Shortly after it was completed, the old Royal Theatre
   was closed and movies    were shown only at the new Rialto. Mr. Mowbray had come to Blue Ridge in the late twenties or
   early thirties and had started    showing movies in the brick building located on West Main Street where the fire department
   is now located.

   Mr. Mowbray showed movies in the building until he built the Royal Theatre on East Main Street. This theatre was small and
   could only seat around 200 people. As the area grew, the seating capacity was too small and the new Rialto was built to seat
   500 people. The Rialto was built on East Main Street in the same block where the old Royal theatre was located. At the time,
   Jack and "H" purchased the theatres, the Royal had been closed and only the Rialto was in operation. There was no television
   in Blue Ridge at this time and the movie going crowd was so large they opened the Royal Theatre again and showed movies
   at both places. The price of a ticket was $.32 for adults and $.15 for children. At the Sunday matinees, adult tickets were
   $.25 and $.10 for children.

   In 1955, Jack and "H" built the Swan Drive In Theatre that is located on 651 Summit Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia. 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 East 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 William Cunningham Circle and they were able to lease
   several acres from the City, on which to build the 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 who encouraged them to keep on trying. After the land was graded,
   wired for the speakers, paved, the concession stand and box office built, there was another LARGE problem.

   The screen tower would have to be built on the ground and then raised in parts. There was not a crane any nearer than
   Atlanta Steel Erectors. Many of the construction workers and 'lookers-on' held their breath as the job was completed. The
   cost of the crane was $100.00. 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 II, 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 in 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 on a neon sign. This is why the drive-in was named "SWAN". Mr. Jones served in the Marines before World
   War II. During the first part of World War II, he was stationed in Panama helping build an Air Force Base. He also 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 Old Royal Theatre is still standing on
   East Main Street, Blue Ridge, Georgia, and has been converted into a Doctors' Office. The Rialto Theatre was partially burned
   in 1963 and has been rebuilt as a retail store.

   Jack Jones, Sr., passed away in 1980. W.H. Tilley is retired and still resides in the City of Blue Ridge, Georgia.