Kiamichi Drive-In
U.S. 271 and New Hope Road,
Antlers,
OK
74523
U.S. 271 and New Hope Road,
Antlers,
OK
74523
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Townfolk still talk about the Kiamichi Drive-In, not for the movies that showed there, but because it is said the best food in town was served there. The concession stand served chicken basket dinners, catfish dinners, mountain oysters, along with standard hamburgers, hotdogs, and popcorn.
The Kiamichi Drive-In was opened on July 31, 1953 with Sterling Hayden in “Kansas Pacific”, when it had a capacity for 240 cars. It was still open in 1979. It is no more, having returned to use as a cow pasture.
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Johnny Cake
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U.S. 271 & New Hope Rd, Antlers, OK 74523
The above address will map accurately to the location of the drive-in, which was at the northeast corner of the intersection.
Here is a 1961 aerial photo of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS:
http://flic.kr/p/9bmdJ1
From the American Institute of Drive-in Archaeology Database:
Kiamichi Drive-in (Article, ad, Topo map with di located)
Grand opening Thursday, Aug 6 1953
Location: N 34° 11.17' , W 95° 37.30' (Northeast corner)
Article on Aug 6, 1953
Location given as 3 miles South of Antlers on Highway 271
Listed in 1955 Theatre Catalog, Exec J.L. Cooper,
Capacity 240 Cars
Listed in 1960 International Motion Picture Almanac,
Owner Mrs. E. Jess Cooper Capacity 275
Listed in 1979 IMPA, owned by J. N. Cooper, Capacity 200
1984 IMPA lists J.N. Jones as owner Study of aerial photos dated 10 Mar 95, show no trace of theatre remains.
Wesley Horton AIDA
“John Cooper in Antlers … and his brothers E. A. and Bill, and their mother, Mrs. Bessie Cooper, operate the Cooper and Kiamichi Drive-In theatres.” — Boxoffice, June 27, 1960
The Kiamichi Drive-In launched July 31, 1953 with “Kansas Pacific.” 160 cars showed up the first night supporting Mrs. J.L. Cooper’s o-zoner.
The drive-in appears intact in a 1980 aerial. But by 1996 it had been demolished.
Today, the property includes houses, a self-storage business, and a pasture. There is no trace of the drive-in remaining.
Why the name Kiamichi?
Why the name Kiamichi?
The Kiamichi River is not far away. Antlers is also located in southeastern Oklahoma near the Kiamichi Mountains.
So given the location of the drive-in, a better question is “why NOT the name Kiamichi?”