Kitty Fork Drive-In
1370 Hobbton Highway,
Clinton,
NC
28328
1370 Hobbton Highway,
Clinton,
NC
28328
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The Kitty Fork Drive-In was opened prior to 1954 when it was operated by Hugh Sykes. It was closed in the 1970’s.
Contributed by
Ken Roe
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Recent comments (view all 4 comments)
This one was located at 1370 Hobbton Hwy, Clinton, NC 28328. It can be seen in a 1955 aerial image but the site has been redeveloped by 1981. Currently Sandpiper Seafood and a carwash occupy the site. The drive-in sign may still be there being used for the carwash.
Is this drive-in near where the Wright Brothers flew there first plane flight(Kitty Hawk, similar name to Kitty Fork!?)?
It appears that the drive-in moved north by a few hundred feet from 1951 to 1955.
A 1951 aerial shows the drive-in screen and entrance maybe 20 feet north of what is now Hope Valley Hawkins Funeral. By 1955, the screen had moved 200 feet north to where Safe Tire & Auto Services currently sits.
The screen is also larger (possibly a widescreen) and the drive-in itself became larger.
Although I have seen drive-ins change considerably, I can’t remember one that moved about 200 feet, especially since no structure was built on the abandoned ground. Perhaps they wanted more room to expand the ramps.
By 1981, all traces of the drive-in were gone.
If the sign used by the car wash was from the drive-in, then it was moved from another location on the property.
The sign can be seen clearly in the 1981 aerial. But not in the 1955 aerial when the drive-in was present. Furthermore, the location of the sign would’ve put it on the exit road of the drive-in. So, if it was added later, it must’ve been in another location before moving to its present one.
It seems odd that a drive-in owner would invest in a separate sign when the back of the screen is right there visible to everyone. Many screens that close to the road have the marquee attached rather than separate.
But hey, I’ve seen odder things, so it can’t be ruled out with the aerials.