This is a rare 1950’s Skowhegan junction box that was mounted on the top of the pole to hold drive in speakers. It is in good Patina condition, and includes a new frosted red glass eye. The replacement glass eye closely resembles the original glass eye. All screws are in good condition. The pins on the side of the junction box controlled the audio sound. Non-functional circuit board included.

Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre was a landmark in Central Maine for 70 years.
This piece is truly an authentic piece of its history!

When the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre opened in June 1953, it was part of Boston based theatre circuit, Lockwood & Gordon Enterprises. At the time of its debut, the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre was equipped with COOP in-car-speakers. By the 1960s, all of Lockwood & Gordon’s outdoor theatres throughout Maine had become part of SBC Management Corporation. By the early 1980s, SBC Management Corp. had sold or shuttered most of its drive-in theatres throughout New England, and in 1985, the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre was acquired by its longtime manager, Doug Corson.

Despite the change in ownership and the introduction of AM radio sound, some of the original COOP speakers and all of the COOP junction boxes remained in use until the underground cables were cut when connection to the municipal sewer system was mandated. Until then, speakers were available as an alternative for cars that weren’t equipped with AM radios. Some of the COOP junction boxes were even adapted with phono jacks so that speakers could be plugged in!

As the digital transition approached, Mr. Corson determined to retire, and the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre was acquired by Don Brown in 2012. Following the sale, the Skowhegan Drive-In underwent extensive renovation which reequipped and modernized the facility while maintaining its original appearance and historic integrity. A digital projector was installed in 2016, but the original 35mm projectors were kept fully operational through the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre’s final season in 2023!

This COOP junction was removed from the field at the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre following its closure in September 2023!