Al's Drive In was opened in 1952 by Alfred L. Beck (1921-1998), a long-time Helena painting contractor. It was constructed next to Mr. Beck's home on 9th Avenue. According to available online Helena newspaper archives, the drive-in was evidently in business ony from 1952-54. The building has been altered somewhat, and is now part of a multi-family residence.

Although the 1953 phone book ad pictured above says that Al's was "On Hi-way 10", 9th Avenue is actually one block south of 11th Avenue, which in 1953 was designated as US 10 & 91. Still, there were few if any other buildings between 11th and 9th in that area, so the big "Al's Drive In" sign would have been quite visible to traffic on 11th in 1953. The annotated 1955 aerial view below shows the long driveways leading from 11th Ave. to Al's...