| Herby and Sue Hargroder opened the Beverly Drive-In Theatre, the largest in Mississippi, in 1948. The Hargroder family operated the theater until 1981 when they leased the theater to other operators. The lease was terminated in 1987 after the operators began showing “adult films.” The theater reopened in 2001 and operated until Hurricane Katrina damaged the screen, concession booth and ticket office. The Beverly had features similar to other drive-in theaters such as the large projection screen, large paved parking lot, and the free-standing concession stand and projection booth. A feature unique to the Beverly was the Hargroder family home built into the screen tower. The soundproof three-bedroom, two-bath home has a sunporch and two-car garage. The Beverly Drive-In Theatre played an important role in the lives of several generations of Hattiesburg residents, many with fond memories of evenings spent at the theater. It was listed on the National Register on 30 Jul 2008. Russell Archer and Bill Gatlin of the MDAH staff wrote the National Register nomination. The theater was destroyed by a fire in October 2010. |