Health & Fitness
Seeking Memories, Artifacts From Super 170 Drive-in Theater
Did you know Odenton once had a drive in theater? If you have memories or artifacts you'd like to share, we'd love to hear from you.
Odenton is on the brink of major expansion as the area prepares for BRAC. New construction can be seen everywhere around town. Things we knew and enjoyed as children are disappearing. This week I’m going to stray a little from the business heading of my blog and offer a little local history.
An icon of Americana long gone from the Odenton landscape is the Super 170 Drive-In theater. Yes, Odenton once had a drive-in theater. Some residents who have lived in the area for twenty years are not aware of the theater. I have been working with the Odenton Heritage Society (OHS) to gain new information regarding the history of the theater and recover any objects from the theater for the OHS collection.
The theater opened on July 25, 1963 with a single screen. A second screen was installed in 1981 with hopes of attracting more customers, but sadly the theater closed in 1985. The theater was located on the property currently owned by the Full Gospel Emancipation Life Center. Customers entered the theater from Telegraph Road approximately where the Route 32 overpass intersects.
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Past employees and patrons remembered the theater as a fun, family place that had a park atmosphere before the movie started. Children were always on the playground or playing on the grounds with their families. In May, the Odenton Day festivals were held on the theater grounds. My personal childhood memories include taking the family pickup with air mattresses and lawn chairs, sitting under the night sky, and watching a true big screen. Or trying to find your car after having gone to the concession stand.
Businesses come and go, are open for a few years or decades. Few have iconic status and it is not until they are long gone do we realize how they impacted our lives and that something special is missing.
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If you have any memories or memorabilia of the Super 170 Drive In, please contact me or leave a comment. The OHS is interested in anything from the theater; ticket stubs, advertising, anything at all.
