Sunset Drive-In

808 Route 97,
Waterford, PA 16441

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Additional Info

Functions: Movies (First Run)

Phone Numbers: Box Office: 814.454.8912

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Sunset Drive-In

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

Recent comments (view all 4 comments)

Patsy
Patsy on December 23, 2004 at 6:59 pm

I’m in Waterford each June so will check out this Drive-In which is the “oldest operating drive-in in Erie County”!

Chris1982
Chris1982 on October 6, 2014 at 3:43 am

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

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on October 23, 2017 at 2:59 pm

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.

fabulousfubby
fabulousfubby on August 7, 2023 at 5:53 pm

Correct address is 808 PA-97, Waterford, PA 16441

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