Greater Pittsburgh 5 Drive-in (Demolished)
North Versailles, PA
"The famous 2 wheeler" Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
Yes it is the Greater Pittsburgh 5 Drive-In which opened back in 1954. This screen is currently
on the hot list for demolition, despite its tremendous googie-esque marquee
out in front. In fact, the marquee is so eye-catching, many passersby
end up swooping into the parking lot on two wheels! Unfortunately, the theatre closed down in 1997.
The drive-in opened in 1954 as a single screener and eventually grew into a five-screen complex with room for more than 1,000 cars. But it was that crazy roadside marquee that really stole the show. Apparently more than a few motorists spotted it at the last second and made the turn a little too quickly, earning the place its “famous two-wheeler” reputation.
After more than 40 years of movies under the stars, the Greater Pittsburgh 5 closed in 1997. The screens went dark, but for a short time that great marquee was still out along Route 30 grabbing attention.
UPDATE: Despite it's great googish marquee and tendency to excite passersby,
the Greater Pittsburgh 5 has been torn down. Many thanks to Mark Hackett for update. 09-99
UPDATE: The drive-in was demolished in 1998, including its tremendous Googie marquee. The old theater grounds were later redeveloped as a Walmart Supercenter. 08-26
Deer Lake Drive-in (Demolished
Orwigsburg, PA Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
Speaking of pastel colors, the Deer Lake Drive-In Theatre could certainly hold its own. Sitting along Route 61 in Orwigsburg which is near Deer Lake, this old Pennsylvania ozoner had a colorful mid-century look that made the screen almost as interesting as whatever movie was playing on it.
The Deer Lake opened in 1956 with room for around 600 cars. The big screen tower with its pastel colors gave the place plenty of roadside personality, especially compared with the plain white screens found at so many drive-ins.
Unfortunately, the movies stopped in 1996. The old theater sat abandoned for years afterward, its fading remains still offering one last look at the days of movies under the stars.
UPDATE: The Deer Lake Drive-In has been completely demolished, and its colorful old theater structures are gone. The property was eventually redeveloped as the Geisinger St. Luke's Hospital complex. 08-26
Twin Hi-Way Drive-In (Demolished)
Pittsburgh, PA Photo courtesy Mark Hackett
Sneak a peek at this great drive-in marquee. The Twin Hi-Way Drive-In outside Pittsburgh had one colorful sign out front, complete with neon and a painted waterfall mural to boot. Not something you saw at every drive-in.
The Twin Hi-Way opened in 1953 with room for around 1,000 cars and added a second screen in 1980. By the time this shot was taken, the theater was closed but still in surprisingly good shape. The screens were standing and that great mural marquee was still waiting beside the road. Hopefully the ’dozer wouldn't roll by anytime soon.
And for a while, it didn't. After sitting dark for years, the Twin Hi-Way was restored and reopened in 2007, giving moviegoers another chance to pull in for a double feature. The comeback lasted until 2014, when the drive-in closed for good.
Twin Hi-Way Drive-in screen tower
Pittsburgh, PA Photo courtesy Jim Zahniser
UPDATE: Good news on the status of the Twin Hi-Way Drive-in. Regency Cinema Services Inc., a PA Based Corporation, has signed a lease to reopen the drive-in in the Spring of 2007. The sign and the rest of the drive-in will be restored to its original 1950's glory. This massive 400 car lot will provide state of the art entertainment and plans are almost definite to twin this magnificent drive-in after thirteen years of silence. Many thanks to Jerry Salnoris for update. 01-07
UPDATE: Here's a shot of the Twin Hi-Way Drive-in Theatre and its screen tower. Many thanks to Jim Zahniser for photo update. 01-08
UPDATE: The Twin Hi-Way Drive-in is really doing great. They added a second screen to their drive-in in the Spring of 2009. Many thanks to David Hughes for update. 12-10
UPDATE: The ’dozer finally did roll by. The Twin Hi-Way was demolished in 2015, taking both screens and that great waterfall marquee with it. The property has since been redeveloped for retail use. 08-26
Fork Union Drive-in (Closed)
Fork Union, VA Photo courtesy Charles Brock
Here’s the Fork Union Drive-In Theatre, tucked away just off Route 15 in Virginia. Opened in 1953, this little drive-in was still looking pretty good when photographed, with the screen, concession stand and old speaker posts hanging around from another era of outdoor movies.
Things became uncertain after longtime owner Frayser White died in 2011. His daughter kept the movies going for the remainder of the season, but before long the screen went dark. For more than a decade, it looked like the Fork Union might have shown its last movie.
UPDATE: The Fork Union Drive-in closed up at the end of the 2011 season. and hasn't re-opened since. Many thanks to David Hughes for update. 07-13
Then something unusual happened. The old drive-in came back.
Fork Union Snack Bar?
Fork Union, VA Photo courtesy Charles Brock
The family and a group of locals spent about a year fixing up the property, many of them having worked here themselves when they were younger. A new screen went up, a digital projector replaced the old reels, and the concession stand and bathrooms received some much-needed attention. They even kept the original speaker posts, so a little of that old drive-in experience is still hanging on.
Best of all, some things haven't changed. Kids still toss balls and Frisbees around in front of the screen while everyone waits for the sun to go down. Then the lights fade and the movies begin.
UPDATE: After sitting dark for about 15 years, the Fork Union Drive-In reopened on May 1, 2026. Movies are once again playing under the Virginia sky, complete with those old speaker posts standing beside the cars. 08-26
Greater Pittsburgh 5 Drive-in (Demolished)
Deer Lake Drive-in (Demolished
Twin Hi-Way Drive-In (Demolished)
Twin Hi-Way Drive-in screen tower
Fork Union Drive-in (Closed)
Fork Union Snack Bar?
