Comments about Cardinal Drive-In in Mayfield, KY

Kenmore on January 23, 2024 at 4:00 pm

A closer address is 2692 US-45, Mayfield, KY 42066.

This puts it right on the entrance/exit roads.

Although the property hasn’t been developed, the screen and projection booth/concession stand are gone or have turned to rubble. The ticket booth is still present, but in terrible shape.

The outline, ramps, and entrance/exit roads are still present, but the entire property is overgrown.

http://tinyurl.com/vay3p4rc

50sSNIPES on January 23, 2024 at 3:31 pm

This started life as the 45 Drive-In and opened its gates on May 5, 1949. It was renamed the Cardinal Drive-In in 1953.

In its later heyday, Donal Jones was the operator of the Cardinal who also operates the other remaining theaters in Mayfield. On August 15, 1992, Doral made his only television appearance on Kentucky Educational Television’s “From Dusk ‘Til Dawn: Kentucky’s Rural Drive-In Theaters”, which featured the Cardinal and the other remaining drive-ins in Kentucky.

markp on December 23, 2019 at 7:08 pm

Saw a story on facebook that there was a huge fire here over the weekend

jwmovies on October 6, 2016 at 6:09 pm

The approximate address for this drive in was 2829 US-45, Mayfield, KY 42066. The street north of this theater formerly known as County Farm Road is now Cardinal Road.

This address is next to Mayfield Memory Gardens. Please update.

ballen270 on October 13, 2012 at 5:51 pm

I noticed the other day ago the screen is gone.

kencmcintyre on August 4, 2009 at 10:54 pm

This is from Boxoffice in July 1953:

MAYFIELD, KY.-The new Cardinal Drive-In has been opened on a 25-acre site near Mayfield by Ned Greene, owner-manager.

bbrown1 on August 20, 2007 at 9:31 pm

According to one source I’ve seen, The Cardinal Drive In was also known as the 45 Drive In and the Hi-Way Drive In at various times, and was operated by the Malco Theater chain from 1961 to 1975. I went there quite a few times in the 80’s and 90’s, and it was the Cardinal Drive In then. It also doubled as a video store during the day, and I believe the video store is still in operation in the former concession stand. I also believe the screen and field are still intact so that it could be reopened.