So many memories of this drive in – be it for growing up there.  My Grandparents and Great Grandma owned the Craigsville Drive in, Craigsville, WV. My parents own and operated the one in Mt Zion, WV since 1979.

Our drive in is a little different than most, since it is the local hang out for the kids in Calhoun  County. We have a game room and the snack bar has road frontage, giving us business from the road. Generations have been coming to show off their dates, in their parent’s ride, or just to be in the social hotspot.

My memories revolve around getting the business prepared for opening to the closing operations, as far back as I can remember.  I also remember falling asleep in the store room, to the soothing cracking of the billiards balls, juke box, and the mummer of people having a good time.   To this day those type of sounds, I find extremely relaxing and can put me to sleep.

Drive in buffs know, that drive ins fell on their face, be it day light savings time, the invention of the VCR, or for some the need to be in AC to watch movie.

Over the past years, our drive in has been highlighted in the Charleston, and Parkersburg, papers here in WV. Interviewed on Channel  8 WCHS TV, for the Travel WV feature. The drive in was also  listed in the WV State Journal as one of “55 Good Things About West Virginia”.   I believe all of these wonderful things happened due to information on the internet allowing people to find us. Such as Carl Weese, NJ, a photographer, who took the picture that is shown with this article, for a book he was putting together featuring drive ins.

I do have some odd memories that come to mind- particularly vehicles that persons have desired to watch the movie in; a cattle truck – with cattle in the back, ambulance, semi truck, hurse (retired) , RV’s, and a couple of bicycles.

http://mountziondrivein.com

mtziondrivein@hotmail.com

304-354-9405

http://www.myspace.com/mtziondrivein

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