Sunset Drive-In
808 Route 97,
Waterford,
PA
16441
808 Route 97,
Waterford,
PA
16441
3 people
favorited this theater
Additional Info
Functions: Movies (First Run)
Phone Numbers:
Box Office:
814.454.8912
Nearby Theaters
Built in 1948, this theatre is the oldest continuously operating drive-in theater in Erie County. The Sunset Drive-In was opened June 10, 1948 with Gary Cooper in “The Westerner.
Contributed by
Margaret Koper
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
I’m in Waterford each June so will check out this Drive-In which is the “oldest operating drive-in in Erie County”!
The Sunset Drive In has been a part of Erie County for over 66 years. The first movie shown was “The Westerner” starring Gary Cooper on June 10th 1948. website
Chris1982’s note refers to the Sunset’s web site, since abandoned. Those details are still there at the Internet Archive, though.
My reference books always listed the Sunset’s capacity as 350 cars. It showed up in the 1948-49 Theatre Catalog, owned by Ray Woodard (sic), A. Phelps, E. Wilson and Woodard. By 1952, that was Ray Woodward, Kayton Th.
The 1952-54 Motion Picture Almanacs listed the owners as Phelps & Wilson. In the 1955-66 editions, it was Ray Woodward. However, a July 1958 note in the Huntingdon PA Daily News said the owner was Alden W. Phelps. And that’s probably Alden Wesley Phelps, May 6, 1918 – July 1, 2001, buried in the Waterford Cemetery.
For the 1969-76 editions, the International MPAs listed only the capacity. The Sunset wasn’t listed at all in the 1978-88 IMPAs, though the drive-in advertised X-rated movies in the Titusville Herald in 1978 & 1984 (at least).
Dennis and Margaret Koper bought the Sunset in 1988 and were still running it in the 2017 season.
Correct address is 808 PA-97, Waterford, PA 16441