Woodbridge Sunset
Drive-In
Jefferson Davis Highway (US
1) south, Woodbridge, Va.
capacity: 516 cars
years of operation: 1963-77
currently: a 120-unit townhouse development
Woodbridge's first movie theatre, it opened
July 17, 1963 with Breakfast At Tiffany's. It was
set in a semi-secluded location a half-mile up a straight entranceway from
Route 1, with a second entrance from adjacent Blackburn Road (the old Washington-Richmond
Highway). The screen stood directly across from Rippon Middle School. Open
year-round in its '60s, early '70s heyday. The management also ran several
longtime businesses along that stretch of Route One, including the old Prince
William Motel and a service station. After closing in '77, the drive-in was
torn down around 1980, and townhouses were built there in the mid-'80s.
"Just found this web
page. I grew up in Woodbridge. Lived near by and as a kid hung around the
drivein. Once cleaned the lot the day after the show for handfuls of candy.
Great pay when you're 12. When I was 16 I worked at the Texaco then
later the Sunoco station on Rt 1 at the corner by the drive in. We would
give a free movie pass when you got a fill up of gas. So me and my buddies
would go to the show on weekends. I remember many a night bringing dates
there...I'm 41 now and I try to tell my kids how great the drive in's were.
One day we are going go to one before they are all gone.....Thanks for
your time & the memories...." -- Mike
Click here to see the 1983 USGS map depicting the drive-in and
surrounding area.
Below: a photo of the marquee, from an ad
in a 1970 Chamber of Commerce-produced guide to Prince William County.
Got some additional information, or some pictures or stories about this drive-in you'd like to share? Email me -- thanks!
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