by William Crum
Remember the days when things were simple, sock hops, poodle skirts, hot rides and, of course, rock-and-roll music?
The Boulevard Drive-in, Kansas City, Kan., has got to be one of the best-kept secrets in Wyandotte County. It is a place where you can take your family, relax, and watch a movie. There is a playground for the kids and a concession bar that has the best food I’ve ever tried.
However, there is more to the Boulevard Drive-in than one would think. Wes Neal, the proprietor of the Boulevard Drive-in, said the drive-in was the birthplace of one of the first monorails developed. It used a Chevrolet 350 engine and a gyroscope.
An inventor, Lou Swinney, came to Neal with the idea to build a monorail using a gyroscope in 1962. It had never been done before, Neal said. He decided to invest in it.
“My granddad likes inventions,” said Brian Neal, Wes’s grandson. For many years, a remembrance of the monorail was at the front of the drive-in near the gate. Swinney, the inventor of the monorail, died five years ago.
When you meet Wes Neal you will see for yourself a true visionary. In fact, his grandson Brian is a lot like his grandfather in a lot of ways and is currently being shown the ropes of the drive-in itself.
The Boulevard Drive-in today has some the most highly technological advanced projection and sound equipment ever made. This is mainly due to Brian Neal.
The food at the Boulevard Drive-in is some of the best food ever. I love a good hotdog and believe it or not they’ve got the best I’ve ever had not to mention the popcorn and everything else on the menu. This is mainly due to Brian’s wife Clarissa. A lot of people come here for the food, Brad said.
Boulevard Drive-in has got to be one of the best kept secrets in Wyandotte County.
For more information go to the website www.boulevarddrivein.com. The drive-in is located at 1051 Merriam Lane in Kansas City, Kan., or call them at 913-262-2414.
