Comments about Carefree Drive-In in Oliver Springs, TN

MichaelKilgore on January 4, 2023 at 2:38 pm

On Aug. 24, 1974, the Knoxville News-Sentinel ran an obituary for Louise Duncan, who “was owner and operator of the Carefree Drive-In, Oliver Springs and the Clinton Drive-In, Clinton, both of which ceased operation in the mid 1970s”.

MichaelKilgore on January 3, 2023 at 4:06 pm

The first ad I could find for the Carefree was on May 19, 1954, when it was “Now Open.” The show that night was “Highway Dragnet” plus two color cartoons.

The last ad I could easily find for the Carefree was on June 23, 1974. An unrelated story in the March 15, 1981 Knoxville News-Sentinel said that 48-year-old Edwin L. Kelley owned the “old Carefree Drive-In,” where he was storing some of his stuff.

A 1981 aerial photo showed the remains of a drive-in about a mile south of the old Oliver Springs city limits west of the highway just north of what was then Norwood. (It was also marked in topo maps from 1972 through 2001.) A UPS Customer Center occupies the site today, now within the expanded Oliver Springs, at 251 Hannah Dr, Oliver Springs, TN 37840.

jwmovies on September 17, 2012 at 3:15 pm

Approx. location for this drive-in was Hannah and Carl south of HWYS 61/62.

Mike Rogers on March 20, 2010 at 8:29 pm

Bbrown, I had relatives in East Tenn. and somehow managed to save a few SENTINELS,that is where i am getting my movies. I think most towns the size of Knoxville had in friday’s paper what was showing and what was coming next week. My paper here in Augusta had the same thing,and yes i saved a few of them.

bbrown1 on March 18, 2010 at 11:32 pm

I lived in East Tennessee, in and around Knoxville, from 1972 until 1978. One of the great things about the KNOXVILLE NEWS SENTINEL at the time was that in Friday’s paper, in addition to ads for the Knoxville theaters and drive-ins, they also had a feature called “showing at area drive-ins” where you could find out what was showing at drive-ins in the surrounding small towns. There were so many of them then. I would have never believed at the time that virtually all of them would have disappeared so fast!

TLSLOEWS on March 18, 2010 at 6:06 pm

Like you said only in Tennessee.

Mike Rogers on March 18, 2010 at 6:02 pm

TLSLOEWS.Does that make sense what Chuck1231 wrote. i know its fact Highway 61 and 62 are the same highway.

TLSLOEWS on March 18, 2010 at 5:39 pm

No Problem Mike.

Mike Rogers on March 18, 2010 at 5:32 pm

Only in Tennessee.Sorry Tlsloews.

TLSLOEWS on March 18, 2010 at 12:06 am

Thanks Mike!!!!

Mike Rogers on March 17, 2010 at 9:57 pm

I have a KNOXVILLE paper,Sept.24.1967 that has THE CAREFREE DRIVE-in On HIGHWAY 61,not 62 as Mr.Brown has stated. They were playing in case Mr.Brown wants to know “DON’T MAKE WAVES” Tony Curtis,Admission $1.00.Now Wednesday.

Coming next was"FASTEST GUITAR ALIVE" and “YOUR CHEATING HEART”

After that for Saturday night was “GREATEST SHOW ON EARTH” and"EVERYDAY IS A HOLIDAY".

Mike Rogers on March 14, 2010 at 5:47 pm

Bob,this East Tennessee Drive-in was showing movies in 1956 and parked 250 cars it was owned by M.D. Williams.

Carefree Drive-In

251 Hannah Drive, Oliver Springs, TN 37840

251 Hannah Drive,
Oliver Springs, TN 37840