Historic Oklahoma drive-in theater near Route 66 reopening in April

Jessie Christopher Smith, Oklahoman
·1 min read
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Signage for the historic Tee Pee Drive-In Theater stands tall in Sapulpa as renovations finalized in late 2022.
Signage for the historic Tee Pee Drive-In Theater stands tall in Sapulpa as renovations finalized in late 2022.

SAPULPA ― The Tee Pee Drive-In, a historic Tulsa metro-area movie theater, is set to reopen mid-April in Sapulpa.

Located at 13166 W Ozark Trail just off the iconic U.S. Route 66, the Tee Pee Drive-In has undergone significant renovations and will hold its grand reopening on April 15. The theater was constructed in 1949 and first opened on May 5, 1950, with a capacity of 400 cars. It passed through various owners before eventually shutting down in 1999.

Additional facilities will accompany the newly renovated amphitheater, including a nostalgia-themed playground and rock-climbing area intended to renew interest in the drive-in as a hub for family-friendly activities.

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Haley Smalley, operations manager for the Tee Pee Drive-In and event planner for the Kante Group, told Tulsa World the theater also is adding retro-themed trailers that visitors can rent on AirBnB. The goal is to revitalize the vintage theater as a hotspot of entertainment for older adults and young people alike.

"It will be great for the older generation to be able to reflect on their time when they did go to the movies in previous years, as well as a great space for the younger generation to make memories now," Smalley said.

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This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: Historic Tee Pee Drive-In Theater set to reopen on April 15