Lonesome Pine Drive-In
10397 Norton-Coeburn Road,
Coeburn,
VA
24230
10397 Norton-Coeburn Road,
Coeburn,
VA
24230
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Sometimes listed as being located in Norton. The Lonesome Pine Drive-In was opened in 1946 and was operated by P.O. Datson. He was still the operator in 1955. It was closed in 1994 after several years screening X-Rated movies. A long abandoned drive-in from the looks of it.
Contributed by
Bill Eichelberger
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Recent comments (view all 12 comments)
PLEASE ADD TO ADDRESS:
10397 NORTON COEBURN ROAD
Built 1949
Closed ~1975? Anyone care to verify the exact dates?
Can always use more info and photos.
https://abandonedplaces.livejournal.com/2721805.html
A Blog with lots of photos from 2016 about this place, seems it was an X rated theater that lasted until the early 90’s.
Google Street View from June, 2016 still shows the screen, ticket booth, and marquee up. A small house sits where the concession stand/projector booth was located.
Is the lomesome pine tree still there?
I visited on a rainy day in July 2022. It’s derelict and overgrown with “no trespassing” signs prominently placed. Still, it’s easy to imagine what a nice mountain drive-in this once was.
On December 26, 1958, 62-year-old Charlie Palmer, one of the first employees of the Lonesome Pine Drive-In since its opening in 1949, was struck and killed in a hit-and-run by 28-year-old Rufus V. McCoy of Nora. Charlie received a fractured skull and hip before being announced dead before arriving in Norton Hospital.
More photos from 2016 here:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/hextrovert/albums/72157669540711812
Two clues on the closing date.
Kingsport (TN) Times-News, March 9, 1984: “The Lonesome Pine Drive-In in Tacoma, Va., switched to X-rated films several years ago after operating many years as a family drive-in. The Lonesome Pine opened in 1948.”
Joe Bob Briggs' column, Jan. 23, 1994 (found in the San Francisco Examiner): “The Lonesome Pine Drive-In in Coburn, Va., held on as long as it could, mostly by showing X-rated stuff, but now it’s gone forever. Without eternal vigilance, it could happen here.”
@Kenmore: I doubt that’s a small house. It appears to be the snack bar/booth combination. Look closely, you can see the projection ports.
I’ve been to this Drive in many years ago. The small building next to the sign is the admission booth. The building behind the screen is the projection booth/Concession stand.