Dennis Drive-In
304 Hoakum Rock Road,
Dennis,
MA
02660
304 Hoakum Rock Road,
Dennis,
MA
02660
2 people
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First drive-in on Cape Cod. The Dennis Drive-In was opened on July 20, 1949. It was rather unique as it was a drive-in/fly-in theater. Planes would land on the back grassy area of the field and line up behind the cars. The theater was advertised from a plane using loudspeakers.
Contributed by
Richard Doane
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Recent comments (view all 10 comments)
My family used to vacation in Dennis during the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. We used to visit the Dennis Drive-in very often. I can remember going there in my pajamas.
I visited the site in 1992 and was saddened to find that it was now an industrial park. All that was left were the foundations for the box office and projection building/snack bar and a few speaker poles.
On the bright side that visit peaked my interest in drive-ins again causing me to check out the Milford Drive-in in Milford New Hampshire near where I now live. About 2 weeks later we took my two-year old to the drive-in and we’ve been doing that 2 or 3 times a year ever since. So, a family tradition begun at the Dennis Drive-in continues until today.
Hokum Rock Rd & Betterwood Ln, East Dennis, MA 02660
The above address will map accurately to the location of the drive-in, which is visible on Google Earth using historic aerial imagery.
Approx. address for this drive-in was 304 Hokum Rock Road.
Just uploaded a picture from opening day July 20, 1949. At least that is my information.
@hispeed54… Where did you get the photo? Are there more? I grew up very close by and as youngsters we used to expore the old closed down snack bar and building under the screen. It sure didn’t seem like there was room for 1000 cars let alone a place for small planes to land. also the screen looks much different and the snack bar was more in front/slightly to the right of the screen from the view of the photo.. rather than way off to the left.. If I could read the license plates I’d be able to tell for sure. Is this definitely the same theater????
@JeffNrtn That is the only picture I have. I don’t know for sure that is the Dennis..my thinking it is. It is very early because they don’t have in-a-car speakers yet. Remember the drive-in could have changed and as kids you look at everything different.
the last time I went to this drive in was 1978 Grease lighting I own three Speaker poles from this drivein that I frequented since the sixties
We had a cottage in Dennisport, back in the 60’s, spent many summer nights at The Dennis Drive In (Yarmouth, Hyannis too). Saw some GREAT movies there including “Hud” “Lilies of the Field” “Chinatown” Always a double bill, sitting outside on blankets, lawn chairs, usually first row, front of our car, was the way to enjoy movies under the Cape Cod sky. Miss those times…
Its just a vacant lot now, overgrown but you can make out the ramps between the trees.
Opened on July 20, 1949.