SHATTUCK—In the early 1950s, like many communities across the nation, Shattuck opened a drive-in movie theater downtown. The drive-in was built and opened in the summer of 1952. It was aptly named El-Co Drive In, short for Ellis County, which is the county Shattuck is in and borders the Texas panhandle.
For three decades, residents in Northwest Oklahoma and West Texas would pull in their vehicles off South Main Street to enjoy the latest films on the outdoor silver screen. The projector building was originally constructed of wood, but subsequently burnt down around 1963, so a new projector building was built of concrete blocks.
But El-Co Drive In shuttered by 1977, leaving the immediate area without for another three decades. As drive-ins across the country went out of style, so did the one in Alva, which was an hour and half away. Stadium Drive-In, on the southwest side of Alva, officially closed in 1985.
It wasn’t until late 2011 when an oilfield trucking company out of Shattuck set up shop north of town along U.S. 283 that the town could hope again for a movie theater.
At that time, the drive-in movie theater outside Weatherford shuttered and is actually how El-Co Drive In jumpstarted again. Formerly 40 West Drive-In when it opened in 1967 west of Weatherford, the renamed 66 West Twin Drive-In gained twin screens in the 1980s and showed first run attractions until 2011.
The property then sold to J&L Oilfield Services of Shattuck, which rescued one of the twin screens still in relatively good condition along with the movie projector and brought them back to Shattuck. The company figured it could set up the outdoor movie screen on its shop property and entertain its young oilfield families.
El-Co Drive In officially reopened for business in the new location in 2012. However, after a few years, the children were grown and out of school, so J&L no longer wanted to operate the drive-in movie theater.
That’s when Shattuck natives Nathan and Kellie Flaherty stepped in. Both grew up in Shattuck—Nathan’s dad was one of the town’s doctors and now his sister is—and graduated from Shattuck High School before getting married while attending Northwestern Oklahoma State University in Alva.
After a short time of living in Yukon, the couple moved back to their hometown to raise their four children and be involved in the community. They owned the local grocery store for several years and still own the grocery store in Buffalo, which is an hour away with day-to-day operations handled by their twin daughters.
The Flahertys were compelled to purchase El-Co Drive In in 2019—exactly one year before the COVID pandemic hit. Ironically that worldwide crisis that killed many small businesses actually saved theirs, they commented, as hundreds of people could drive in and park to watch movies from their vehicles, thus maintaining social distancing.
The digital projector projects the film onto the 60×25 screen and a dedicated FM transmitter projects sound to car radios through 94.5 FM.
“During COVID, everyone could get out and come to the drive-in,” Nathan said. “It could not have worked out better.”
El-Co Drive In averaged 130 people a night back then and still does most nights or better. They got in the habit of showing old movies on the big screen during COVID, thanks to studios not producing new releases during the pandemic—a tradition that has continued.
A couple of weekends ago the Flahertys paired a new release with the 1939 “Wizard of Oz” in a double feature. Other popular older films include the musical “Grease”, the horror flick “Jaws”, and just about any Christian film that has been released in the past such as “Courageous” and “Overcomer”.
But the best performing shows, Nathan said, are the Oklahoma-based ones—the iconic 1996 “Twister” and its recent reboot “Twisters”. Over 400 people drove in last year when El-Co Drive In showed “Twister” again; more than 550 people parked either in the lot or on the highway and brought in lawn chairs to view “Twisters” last summer.
They don’t believe in showing rated R movies since their mission is family-friendly entertainment, and children are their main audience. Kellie said they’ve probably only shown two or three rated-R films since they bought the drive-in six years ago.
El-Co Drive In was fully functional when the Flahertys took over; however, the previous owners only sold concessions like popcorn and soda. They upgraded the concession booth to full menu that included burgers, walking tacos, frito chili pie, and hot dogs in addition to the typical snack fare. They also serve ice cream, frozen treats, and most recently, slushies.
Every year, the Flahertys have added something to expand the drive-in’s capabilities and attract more people. For example, one year they erected a covered pavilion with picnic tables and park benches to create more seating so people could sit and watch away from their vehicles. Another year they refurbished the bathrooms and concession stand. They’ve also improved the gravel parking lot and upped the wattage of the surround sound speakers so people can hear the movie versus the frequent trains that pass through on the nearby rail line.
“The 600-watt speakers let trains hear us versus us hearing them,” Nathan commented.
One of the key things the Flahertys have done is offer pre-show games.
“People can play games as they wait. Many come early to get a good spot and hang out,” Kellie said.
Parents listen to upbeat oldies music on the speakers while the kiddos play in the sandbox, with the life-sized board games, or at sporting spots such as the putting green, cornhole boards, tetherball stand, or volleyball net to name a few.
Today, El-Co Drive In is the only drive in theater that is remains in Northwest Oklahoma, and one of only six still operating in the state. There are three in the Oklahoma City metro area (Beacon in Guthrie, Winchester in south OKC, and Chief outside Chickasha in Ninnekah) and two in the Tulsa metro area (the famous Admiral Twin where “The Outsiders” was filmed in Tulsa and Tee Pee in Sapulpa).
In fact, there are now less than 300 drive-in theaters still showing films in the United States. A campaign to reopen one of Enid’s movie drive-ins failed in 2020; Trail Drive-In on the south side of Enid first opened in the early 1950s and was abandoned in the mid-1980s. The screen still stands, but the property is overgrown with trees and shrubs. Attempts have been made to transform it into an entertainment complex, however, plans have repeatedly stalled.
“It’s been a blessing,” Nathan said about keeping El-Co Drive In going. He added it’s not only a viable business, but a valuable business, too, for the surrounding rural area. They work very hard to bring wholesome entertainment in a nostalgic setting, he said.
He also serves on the board for Buffalo Theatre and Community Center, which also shows a first-run film every other week in downtown Buffalo.
As part of the Shattuck community, this is the Flahertys’ way of giving back.
“We have a lot of repeat customers. It’s the social event on the weekends,” Nathan commented. “It’s really the only show in town.”
El-Co Drive In, 22691 U.S. 283, Shattuck, is open Friday and Saturday unless otherwise noted; from Memorial Day to Labor Day, they open on Sunday too. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. and show starts at 8:30 p.m. in the spring and fall and 9:30 p.m. during the summer. This weekend features a double feature of “King of Kings” and “The Minecraft Movie” so admission is $7 per adult and $5 per child. On single film nights, adult admission is $6. Season passes are available too at $60 per person or $160 per family. Find the concession menu at el-codrivein.com/menu and see what’s showing soon on Facebook @elcodrivein. To schedule a private movie showing for corporate, church, or sports team celebration, call (580) 938-1089.
Me & my grandson Isaac & granddaughter Lauren enjoyed both movies Friday evening.It was a late night.We are blessed to have a drive-in.
I fyi I worked at the movie theater downtown & at the drive-in in 1965-1968.
I have fond memories.