In addition to being the oldest in the us, it is also the oldest englishspeaking theater still in operation in the world today. The good old days when drive in theaters abounded across america might be behind us, but these businesses, in small towns and bustling cities alike, arent letting the nostalgia fade. However, some us theaters opt to use the british spelling in their own names, a practice supported by the. I am not claiming this is the oldest continuously run movie theater in the us, but i would say that it is at least in the running. In grassy fields and paved lots across the country, you can pull up your car in front of a screen and take in a film or two or three. Dubbed americas oldest continuously operating drivein theaterdating back to 1934. Only in america could car culture combine with cinema and the open sky to create the iconic national pastime known as drive in movie theaters.
The saco drive in takes oldschool to the nth degree, as it was established way back in 1939, making it one of the oldest continuously operating drive ins in america, yet it was one of the many theaters that was helped to go digital during the honda campaign. Very little is mentioned about frank brintons tab shows online. Americas oldest drivein movie theater still draws a. Located in orefield, pennsylvania, shankweilers is the oldest drivein movie theatre in america, and has been in continuous operation since 1934. Allweather had parking space for 2,500 cars and offered an indoor 1,200seat viewing area, a kids playground, a full service restaurant, and a shuttle train that took customers from their cars and around the 28acre theater lot. Jan 10, 2017 the oldest movie theater in america is right here in north dakota and its amazing. Appealing to families, hollingshead advertised his drive. Jul 18, 2018 come visit shankweilers drive in in orefield, pa. In business for more than 80 years, this drivein claims to be the oldest and continuous operated drivein movie theater in america. Recognized by the guinness world records as the oldest continuously operating movie theater in the world, the state theatre in washington, iowa, has been screening films since may 14 1897. Lynn auto theatre located in strasburg, oh opened 1937 opened in 1937, the lynn auto theatre is ohios oldest. The only drivein theater in the cape cod area, wellfleet.
The 25 most charming drivein movie theaters left in america. Shankweilers drivein, oldest drivein theater in the country, is for. Oldest continuously operating cinema theatre guinness. From the hush of the theater to the buttery popcorn and the feeling of anticipation as the lights dim and the movie begins, seeing a movie in the theater never gets old. The newtown theatre has an extensive history dating back to 1831.
Geissinger and his wife, susan, have been upgrading the theatre throughout the past three decades and successfully turned it into a pennsylvania hangout for people of all ages. Many dont know that iowa is actually home to the oldest movie theater not only in america, but in the world. It was the states first ever drivein, and the countrys second. The collections housed in the american theatre architecture archive ataa are currently home to over 100,000 items documenting over 18,000 theatres in america. Though there were drive ins as early as the 1910s, the first patented drive in was opened on june 6, 1933 by richard hollingshead in new jersey. The state theatre in iowa is the oldest movie theater in america. Shankweilers drivein theatre in north whitehall township, open for 84. On this day in 1933, eager motorists park their automobiles on the grounds of parkin theaters, the firstever drive in movie theater, located on crescent boulevard in camden, new jersey. Shankweilers drive in holds the distinction of being the oldest continuously running drive in in the u. Shankweilers drive in theatre, the oldest drive in movie theater in the united states opened up for its 80th season in april last year. These are some of the best drivein movie theaters across the. A drive in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of. Located in orefield, pennsylvania, shankweilers is the oldest drive in movie theater in america, and has been in continuous.
Shankweilers drive in theatre, the oldest drive in movie theater in the united states opened up for its 80 th season in april last year. But there are still old school ways to see a movie. The good old days when drivein theaters abounded across america. Lets take a look at some of the oldest theaters in the united states. Located in orefield, pennsylvania, shankweilers is the oldest drive in movie theatre in america, and has been in continuous operation since 1934. As the sun sets, everybody gets ready for the fun of a drive in movie. The first drive in theater was opened in 1933 in new jersey by richard hollingshead.
Within this enclosed area, customers can view films from their cars this list includes active and defunct drive in theaters. Jul 28, 2019 on this day in 1933, eager motorists park their automobiles on the grounds of park in theaters, the firstever drive in movie theater, located on crescent boulevard in camden, new jersey. Americas oldest stilloperating drivein movie theater first flickered onto its outdoor screen on april 15, 1934. Movie lover wilson shankweiler opened the drive inthe first such theater in the state of pennsylvaniain april 1934, a year after the first drive in theater in the country opened in camden, new jersey. But today there are just 357 and by next season there may be less than 100. If you havent been yet, its definitely worth a trip. Aug 27, 2019 at the height of their popularity, drive in movie theaters once numbered more than 4,000 in the 1950s. For years, people parked their cars on the 4acre lot, passing their summer evenings in the glow of the movie screen. The oldest drivein movie theatre in america goes digital. A theater was built in williamsburg in 1715, and in january 1736, the original dock street theatre was opened in charles town, sc the walnut street theatre or simply the walnut is the oldest continuouslyoperating theater in america, located in philadelphia, pennsylvania at 825 walnut street. A drive in theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a large outdoor movie screen, a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Oldest running drivein movie theater reopens friday.
Oldest continuously operating cinema theatre guinness world. Movielover wilson shankweiler opened the driveinthe first such theater in the state of pennsylvaniain april 1934, a year after the first drivein theater in the country opened in camden, new jersey. How cool is that it opened in 1934 and was the 1st outdoor theater to open in pennsylvania, and the 2nd drive in theater to open in the united states. Now just over 300 drive ins remain in america in all but five states, and a visit to one. The oldest movie theater in america is right here in north. Jul 11, 2018 unlike most oldschool driveins, this one allows customers to purchase their tickets online ahead of time. There are 338 drivein theaters left in america heres where to find them. Only in america could car culture combine with cinema and the open sky to create the iconic national pastime known as drivein movie theaters. So, he couldnt have imagined that hed someday own the countrys oldest outdoor theater, shankweilers drivein in orefield, pennsylvania. Movie theaters have always been a place of fun memories and good times. The venue was handed the award in 2016 and remains open to this day. Shankweilers drive in theatre in north whitehall township, open for 84 years, is for sale.
This map shows all drivein theaters still operating in america. Here we list the 5 oldest drivein movie theaters still in operation today. And thats probably about the ratio in my project as. Castro theatre san francisco, ca image credit the original castro theatre. Orefield, pa oldest drivein movie theater roadside america. Shankweilers drivein theatre, orefield pa pennsylvania. The first drive in was opened in 1933 in new jersey. The oldest continuously operating theater in the us is the walnut street theatre, located in the state of pennsylvania at 825 walnut street in philadelphia. Jesup drivein georgias oldest drivein jesup movies. Jan 08, 2016 visitors to a drive in theater in ohio associated press popping up across america as the country embraced the car in the wake of the postwar boom, drive in movie theaters became a staple of. This map shows all drivein theaters still operating in. Amid coronavirus outbreak, drivein theaters unexpectedly. Californias first drivein movie theater opened in june of 1938 there were less than 15 auto theaters in all of america at that point. While catching firstrun flicks including the occasional 3d movie visitors can chow down on food and snacks like dippin dots.
Most iconic drivein movie theaters left in america reader. Most people get out of town before sundown to come to shankweilers. Drivein theaters showed mostly bmoviesthat is, not hollywoods finest farebut some. The largest drive in theater was the allweather drive in of copiague, new york. Paul and susan geissinger met at the movies, at the former plaza theatre where they both worked in the whitehall mall, and. America s oldest drive in movie theater could be yours for the right price. And while were regularly inundated with newer chain theaters, there are still tons of old, historic theaters around the country to enjoy. If you want to see a piece of history, visit shankweilers drivein theatre in orefield, pennsylvania.
People have been going to the movies for decades, all the way back to when the images were silent and a band stood behind the curtain playing the music for it. Jun 27, 20 movielover wilson shankweiler opened the driveinthe first such theater in the state of pennsylvaniain april 1934, a year after the first drivein theater in the country opened in camden, new jersey. Visits to the concession stands and restrooms have to be spaced. One of the few motel movie drive in combos left in the united states, this theater offers both a motel and an outdoor cinema. A movie theater may also be referred to as a movie theatre, movie house, film house, film theater or picture house. Established in 1939, saco claims to be the secondoldest drivein theater in the country. Michael ray, 11, watches a trailer before a movie at the paramount drive in on tuesday night. Visitors to a drive in theater in ohio associated press popping up across america as the country embraced the car in the wake of the postwar boom, drive in movie theaters became a. As of 2017 there are around 330 operating drive in theaters in the united states, down from a peak of around 4,000 in the late 1950s. America s oldest surviving drive in for sale as is, or in pieces. This historic cinema shows double features seven days a. Shankweilers drivein theatre, orefield, pennsylvania. California drive in theaters californias first drive in movie theater opened in june of 1938 there were less than 15 auto theaters in all of america at that point.
Theres probably about, on average, maybe 9% or 10% of the entire universe of drive in movie theaters that are still operating, says deman. Americas oldest drive in movie shankweilers youtube. The oldest movie theater in america is right here in iowa. Two features for one price, fun for the whole family. Oldest running drive in movie theater reopens friday video. Jan 11, 2018 the oldest continuously operating theater in the us is the walnut street theatre, located in the state of pennsylvania at 825 walnut street in philadelphia.
Carsonville, michigan at the hiway, michigans oldest outdoor movie venue and about two hours from detroit, prices have jumped to make up for it halving the number of people allowed in, ensuring everyone can keep a 6foot distance from each other. Shankweilers drivein, oldest drivein theater in the. The oldest driveins in the world driveins and drivein. Shankweilers drivein theatre in north whitehall township, open for 84 years, is for sale. The oldest continuously operating cinema theatre is the washington iowa state theatre usa in washington, iowa, usa, which opened on 14 may 1897, and as of 26 april 2016 has been in continuous operation for 118 years, 348 days. Catch new releases and even some classic movies screening at these theaters for an oldfashioned night out.
Within just ten years, another 43 drive ins had opened and california was on its way to becoming one of the top drive in movie states. Shankweilers drive in theatre, orefield, pennsylvania. The oldest movie theater in america family fun youtube. Americas oldest drivein movie theater could be yours for the right. Theatre historical society of america celebrates, documents, and promotes the architectural, cultural, and social relevance of america s historic theatres. In the us, theater has long been the preferred spelling, while in the uk, australia, canada and elsewhere it is theatre. Steve kursinsky, owner of michigans oldest remaining drivein movie theater for over 20 years, was ready to open the hiway drivein theater in carsonville friday. A break from covid19, coming soon to a drivein theater. Driveins became an icon of american culture, and a typical weekend. A drivein theater is a form of cinema structure consisting of a. Shankweilers drivein located in orefield, pa opened 1934 the oldest operating drivein in the world is shankweilers drivein which is.
This interactive map shows you every active drivein in. He originally came up with the idea because his mother was a rather large lady who could not fit comfortably in standard theater seats. Jan 10, 2017 from the hush of the theater to the buttery popcorn and the feeling of anticipation as the lights dim and the movie begins, seeing a movie in the theater never gets old. Jun 04, 2012 the oldest surviving drivein in america, shankweilers has been through it all. Rhode island rustic triview drive in north smithfield, ri. During the 1950s, the golden age of drivein cinema, the. Americas oldest surviving drivein for sale as is, or in. In business for more than 80 years, this drive in claims to be the oldest and continuous operated drive in movie theater in america.
In operation since 1947, the business is the oldest continuously operated drive in theater in the state, said meyer, who is still thinking through all the logistics of keeping patrons six feet. Shankweilers drive in of orefield pa had already made it onto the retro roadmap as america s oldest drive in movie theater since 1934, but i couldnt resist sharing a few photos from the visit retro roadhusband and i made this past weekend. Which is the oldest operating theater in the united states. The theater operates 365 days per year, at a price much more reasonable than your average movie theater. In operation since 1934, shankweilers in orefield is americas oldest continuously operation drivein theater. Courtesy of shankweilers drive in theatre archives on june 6, 2008 the flag flying over the u. At least six are listed on the national register of historic places nrhp. Richard hollingshead opens new jerseys 1st drive in remembered as the 1st drive in to open in america in camden, new jersey, on tuesday, june 6th, 1933. Geissinger and his wife, susan, have been upgrading the theatre throughout the past three decades and successfully turned it into a pennsylvania hangout for people of all. Come along as we hit a spring break afternoon movie with the kids at what is believed to be the oldest, continuously running movie theater in america, the. The midway is home to the oldest drivein theater screen in illinois, making it an official historical landmark.
After the first drive in movie theater opened in camden, new jersey in 1933, the concept quickly took off, and drive ins began popping up in every corner of. In its heyday during the 1950s, driveins numbered by the thousands across the u. Within just ten years, another 43 driveins had opened and california was on its way to becoming one of the top drivein movie states. If you want to see a piece of history, visit shankweilers drive in theatre in orefield, pennsylvania. The oldest movie theater in america is right here in north dakota and its amazing. The oldest surviving drive in in america, shankweilers has been through it all. The first drivein theater was opened in 1933 in new jersey by. Abandoned drivein movie theaters across america cnn travel. Viewers watch a movie at shankweilers drive in during the heyday of drive in theaters. The history of drivein movie theaters and where they are. He created it as a solution for people unable to comfortably fit into smaller movie theater seats after creating a mini drive in for his mother. For sound, the old car window speakers have been retired in favor of fm radio transmission. The midway is home to the oldest drive in theater screen in illinois, making it an official historical landmark. Jan 18, 2018 americas oldest drivein movie theater could be yours for the right price.