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Cavalier Drive-In
US 19 east of Lebanon, Va.
years of operation: 1955-83
currently: eliminated to widen US 19

Founded by Hazel Coleman, later operated by Henry Counts.
"I was the projectionist at the Cavalier for over 10 years, starting when I was 12 years old, often showing movies I wasn't even old enough to be viewing. The theatre was operated by Henry Counts of Castlewood, Va. for many, many years. I have a couple of old movie reels, some emblems off the projectors as well as the old coin tray from the ticket booth. I grew up at the Cavalier, learning to drive an old VW bug thru the rows of speakers. In addition to being the projectionist, I picked up the trash, painted, worked the concession stand, and after graduating from college, considered leasing the theatre from Mr. Counts. The happiest days of my life were spent at the Cavalier... As odd as this may seem, I work for Verizon at the location of the old Starlite Drive-In [in Clintwood] and only recently learned of the fact that the site was once a drive-in. So, drive-ins continue to be part of my life." -- "The Phone Doc"

Click here to see the 1991 USGS map depicting the drive-in and surrounding area.

Photo by William Sasser. Used by permission of Tim Thompson (driveintheater.com).

Thanks to Tony Schlotter for the below photos:

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