Hi-Way Drive-In
3825 Lincoln Highway,
Latrobe,
PA
15650
3825 Lincoln Highway,
Latrobe,
PA
15650
2 people
favorited this theater
The Hi-Way Drive-In was opened on August 4, 1948 with Victor Moore in “It Happened on Fifth Avenue”. It was closed in the fall of 2010 and was demolished in summer of 2011.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
Double check, it parked 400 cars and was a Hanna Theatre Service Drive-in.
It looks like the ramps are still there.
Demolished to make way for a CVS Pharmacy.
Photo and copy added, courtesy of Gloria R. Nash.
From TribLive.com, June 9, 2011, “Nearly three months after the plan was proposed, Unity supervisors on Wednesday gave developers the go-ahead to demolish the landmark Hi-Way Drive-In along Route 30 to make way for a CVS pharmacy. …
“Lee and Kathy Zimmerman, who operated the 730-car drive-in until its final showing last fall also operated a popular flea market at the location every Sunday, … The drive-in was owned by Latrobe-based Dill Construction Co. and leased on a year-to-year basis by the Zimmermans.
“In May, P. Richard Ridilla, owner of the drive-in and the property it has sat on since 1950, wrote a letter to township officials indicating … that the Zimmermans said the drive-in and flea market have not been profitable for some time.”
Manos Enterprises, ran the Hi Way under lease from Dills in the early 70s until the company retired from the Theatre Business in November 1993 with a Sale to Carmike Cinemas. The Hi-Way was not a part of this sale. Flea Markets were started by Manos and their Manager Jay Frankenberry Jr. The Riddelas and Ferraris kept the valuable land as a theatre as many family homes were located at the real of the drive IN.
Grand opening was on August 4, 1948 with “It Happened On Fifth Avenue”, starring Victor Moore and Charles Ruggles. However, another paper outside the area (can’t remember which one) posted a grand opening ad for the Hi Way on August 7 with “Stallion Road” starring Ronald Reagan. The latter was the first one I came across and have in my scrapbook; I just stumbled upon the August 4 ad from the Latrobe Bulletin. The only explanation I could think of is that there may have been a three-day delay in opening; other than that I have no idea how such an error could occur.
August 4th, 1948 grand opening ad as well as an aerial posted in the photo section.
The address for this theater is now 3825 Lincoln Hwy. Latrobe PA 15650. This points to the entrance and exit roads. CVS didn’t take out the theater entirely just the side exit and screen. Most ramps and concession foundation are still visible.
Please update.
Boxoffice, March 23, 1970: “Drive-Ins which have been transferred include: … Hi-Way, Latrobe, from John Ridilla to Tom Woods”