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, as found in the field of the Skowhegan Drive-In. All screws are in good condition.

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

The Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre was opened in 1953 by Lockwood & Gordon Enterprises, a Boston based exhibition circuit with holdings throughout New England. At the time of its debut, the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre was equipped with COOP in-car-speakers and junction boxes.

By the 1960s, Lockwood & Gordon Enterprises had been acquired by SBC Management Corporation, and the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre became one of numerous outdoor theatres that SBC operated in the state of Maine. At the time of its acquisition by SBC, the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre transitioned from the distinctive beehive shaped COOP speakers to those offered by other manufacturers, particularly Projected Sound. Nonetheless, the many of the original COOP speakers endured and were still in use when SBC sold the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre to its longtime manager in 1985.

The Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre’s third owner, the late Douglas Corson, maintained in-car-speakers until a mandated connection to the municipal sewer system severed the underground cables. Prior to that time, and following the introduction of AM radio sound at the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre in the 1980s, a limited number of operational speakers was offered. Some of the original COOP junction boxes were modified with phono jacks which allowed cars without AM radios to plug a speaker in to listen to the movie!

In 2012, Doug Corson determined it was time to retire, and the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre was acquired by Don Brown. Following its acquisition, the drive-in was extensively renovated, restoring its original appearance with modern equipment and materials. Although the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre transitioned to digital projection in 2016, the original 35mm projectors remained fully operational until its closing in 2023.

This COOP junction box was removed from a speaker post at the Skowhegan Drive-In Theatre following its closure on September 25, 2023