Lehighton, Pennsylvania · Founded 1949 · Building: 1948
A seasonal Pennsylvania drive-in built in 1948 and known for presenting retro films on 35mm projectors in use since its 1949 opening.
The Mahoning Drive-In Theater was built in 1948 near Lehighton and opened its first season on April 29, 1949 with the musical April Showers. After the first-run movie business moved from 35mm film to digital distribution, owner Jeff Mattox reshaped Mahoning around retro 35mm programming. The theater continues to promote a reel-to-reel program using 1940s Simplex projectors.
The Mahoning Drive-In is built near Lehighton, with a screen, marquee, ticket booth, concessions building, and projection facilities.
Source: Mahoning Drive-In official about page; Cinema Treasures, "Mahoning Drive-In"
The Mahoning opens for its first season with April Showers.
Source: NBC Philadelphia, "Mahoning Drive-In is Country's Last Showing 35 mm Films Every Weekend"; Cinema Treasures, "Mahoning Drive-In"
A. M. Ellis Theaters Co. is reported as operating the Mahoning following its early opening period.
Source: Cinema Treasures, "Mahoning Drive-In"
As major studios move away from 35mm first-run distribution, the Mahoning's prior owners seek funds for a digital projector but do not complete the conversion.
Source: NBC Philadelphia, "Mahoning Drive-In is Country's Last Showing 35 mm Films Every Weekend"; The Morning Call, "Reeling in the film fans"
Projectionist Jeff Mattox purchases the business and develops its retro 35mm-film programming model.
Source: NBC Philadelphia, "Mahoning Drive-In is Country's Last Showing 35 mm Films Every Weekend"; The Morning Call, "Reeling in the film fans"
A proposed solar-farm plan threatens the drive-in, but the developer suspends the plan after public attention and a campaign to save the theater.
Source: The Morning Call, "Mahoning Drive-in Theater to stay open after solar farm plan is suspended"
The Mahoning closes at the end of the season; the reason and precise duration require further documentation.
Source: Cinema Treasures, "Mahoning Drive-In"
Owner, operator, and projectionist Jeff Mattox dies. Public sources reviewed in this pass do not clearly identify the succeeding legal owner or operator.
Source: Cinema Treasures, "Mahoning Drive-In"
A current historical-status listing reports that the Mahoning continues seasonal operation.
Source: Cinema Treasures, "Mahoning Drive-In"
Every claim gets rated. A business's own website can never earn "documented."
The Mahoning and multiple 2019–2022 news and travel sources describe it as the country's only remaining drive-in regularly or exclusively presenting 35mm films. Because other venues' projection formats can change and this pass did not conduct a current nationwide comparison, the sole-survivor claim remains plausible rather than fully documented.
The theater's current materials identify original 1940s Simplex projectors used for reel-to-reel 35mm presentation. NBC reporting independently described twin Simplex E7 projectors in operation and said they had been used since the theater opened.
The original screen was constructed before the 1949 opening and was later enlarged from roughly 70 feet to 100 feet and then to about 110–120 feet. CinemaScope itself became a standard after the theater opened, so an unchanged original 1949 CinemaScope-screen claim is historically inaccurate.
The Mahoning did not complete a digital conversion when first-run studios shifted away from 35mm distribution. Under Jeff Mattox, it instead developed a repertory model focused on retro 35mm films.
The Mahoning Drive-In converted to modern digital projection during the 2010s digital-cinema transition.
When first-run studios moved away from 35mm distribution, the Mahoning did not complete a digital conversion. It shifted toward an all-retro 35mm programming model under Jeff Mattox.
Source: NBC Philadelphia, "Mahoning Drive-In is Country's Last Showing 35 mm Films Every Weekend"; The Morning Call, "Reeling in the film fans"
The Mahoning still uses an unchanged original 1949 CinemaScope screen.
The screen predates the 1949 opening and has been enlarged over time. CinemaScope was introduced after the theater opened, so the current screen should not be described as an unchanged original 1949 CinemaScope structure.
Source: Cinema Treasures, "Mahoning Drive-In"; Mahoning Drive-In official about page
Jeff Mattox, Mark Nelson, and Virgil Cardamone jointly purchased the Mahoning in 2014.
Reporting identifies Jeff Mattox, a longtime projectionist, as the person who bought the business in 2014. This review did not find reliable evidence that Mark Nelson or Virgil Cardamone were co-owners.
Source: NBC Philadelphia, "Mahoning Drive-In is Country's Last Showing 35 mm Films Every Weekend"; The Morning Call, "Reeling in the film fans"
Mahoning survived by embracing the equipment that made conventional first-run distribution difficult. Instead of becoming another digital multiplex-style venue, its programming shifted toward repertory, cult, horror, and other retrospective film events presented on 35mm. That identity built a national audience, but its future ownership and management after Jeff Mattox's death in 2024 still require direct verification.
Mahoning Drive-In Theater near Lehighton, Pennsylvania, was built in 1948 and opened on April 29, 1949 with April Showers. It began as a conventional postwar drive-in, then shifted toward retro 35mm programming after first-run studios moved to digital distribution. Jeff Mattox bought the business in 2014 and developed the venue's current reel-to-reel film identity.
No. Shankweiler's Drive-In Theatre in Orefield opened in 1934 and is recognized as the oldest continuously operating drive-in cinema in the United States. Mahoning opened in 1949 and is better known for its retro 35mm-film programming than for an oldest-drive-in title.
Yes. Mahoning's current materials describe an exclusively retro 35mm program presented reel-to-reel using original 1940s Simplex projectors. Because schedules and technical programming can change, check the official calendar before traveling.
635 Seneca Rd, Lehighton, PA 18235
Mahoning operates seasonally with themed retro-film events; check the official calendar for current programming, camping availability, and admission details.