Remembering the Tennessee Drive-In on this TBT

By Charlie Hutson

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – The special of the week at one of Lafollette’s favorite places is featured on this Throwback Thursday. Fifty-five years ago, in 1968, 65-cents got you a loaded hamburger basket at the Tennessee Drive In.

The Tennessee was at the West Beech Street cut off, just as you come off Hwy 25w (Jacksboro Pike). June and Alfonza (Al) Cassell owned and operated the Tennessee Drive In.

The parking spaces at the front, just off Beech Street, were prime real estate on Friday and Saturday nights. Usually people backed into these spaces so you could see who was cruising the four lane.

During warm weather, a lot of people would gather outside their cars at the picnic tables under the awning that covered the entire drive in.

Many nights the jukebox would still have songs in the cue at closing time. Once the jukebox was shut down you didn’t have to go home, but you couldn’t stay at the Tennessee Drive-In. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 05/11/2023-6AM)