Tazewell Drive-In
125 Old Kentucky Road,
Tazewell,
TN
37879
125 Old Kentucky Road,
Tazewell,
TN
37879
1 person
favorited this theater
Opened prior to 1955, the Tazewell Drive-In was located in the Cumberland Gap in the very small town of Tazewell, TN. It’s the area most of my relatives are from so whenever I would visit coming up from Augusta, I would always see that drive-in!
I remember of all things "Ned Kelly" playing there in 1970 with Mick Jagger. Why I remember that one title I can’t explain. Maybe I was a Rolling Stones fan then. Anyway, it held 260 cars and having walked that old drive-in that’s about right. It was owned by E.J. Steiner.
I walked into what used to be a very small concession with the booth in front on one level. The roof was all but gone. Inside the booth were two old rusty 35mm carbon arc projectors. And if you look hard through the trees you will see a very nice screen almost in perfect condition!
The box office is long gone but I remember you went in and out by the box office. The marquee was on top of the box office. I wish I had taken a picture of that old box office. I did snap a few photos of the old projectors! Oh, I did take one of the boxoffice but the marquee was gone as was the roof that covered the entrance/exit.
Contributed by
Mike Rogers
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Recent comments (view all 11 comments)
My little Drive-in in Mountains,that no one has commented on.Sorta sad these little gems are forgotten.
The screen is in near perfect shape. However, the trees have grown so much since the 80’s when it closed i figure the screen will always be there backing up to a hill with Downtown Tazewell above it. Really was a nice Drive-in at one time.Last time i was up there there was nothing in the old Tazewell Drive in spot.And the sad part is in towns that small locals just have no interest in the history of that Drive-in.
I think with the screen so close to that hill it has been protected from the weather.
Any photos out there?
Tlsloews I have great color pictures of it when it closed.But i think Miss.Robin has quit doing Ct. I guess it got old, so unless i can get Nick to put them on,they will stay in my movie theatre shoebox.
Thanks for the comment on the TAZEWELL. it is in Your state,near the Cumberland Gap.
Here are a couple photos of the box office, lot, concessions, and screen:
View link
Thanks again for posting the photos Nick.
the box office was blue,I went back a few years ago and trees had covered everything. Thanks Nick. I was getting ready to give you a call.Hope everything is okay,Buddy.I sent you years ago,pictures inside the Booth with the projectors torn apart.
Approx. address for this drive-in was 125 Old Kentucky Road.
thanks, was there labor day, trees have just about covered the lot can hardly see the screen…