Thanks for posting the links to the americanclassicimages.com site Lost Memory, there’s some great old shots on that site! Here’s a 1999 shot I took of the original marquee.
The Lansing Drive-In was not a portable theater. Apparently there was renumbering in the past as CWalczak suggests. I found the 5097 address on the county assessor website. Looking at 5097 on Google Maps will take you to the exact site, the 5509 address takes you about ¼ mile south of this site. The Ingham County Human Services building on the site actually uses 5303 for an address.
All of the research (addresses, opening dates, owners, opening ads, etc.) found on Waterwinterwonderland.com was done by me, and originated at Michigandriveins.com. Drive-ins.com and Cinematour.com also “adopted” much of this research.
I’m still looking for any photos of the Lansing Drive-In. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I wonder if a Butterfield Theatres photo archive exists.
IMO, the Miracle Twin will never reopen. There’s no “saving” it. If NA sells the property, I’m sure there will be a clause preventing it from ever reopening as a theater. It will sit and rot, just like so many of their other drive-ins did. It’s closure has nothing to do with the economy or NA’s current troubles, it’s coincidental.
The owner, Lou Warrington, passed away on February 18th, 2009. According to a Flint News story, the family will open the drive-in for more year as a tribute to Lou. Please come out often this summer and experience this fantastic theater. Lou and the 23 will be missed.
US-23 photos here.
This drive-in was called the “Four Screen Drive-In” when it opened in June, 1950. It was later converted to a single screen, and then a twin. The actual address was 745 W. 138th St. Riverdale, IL 60827. Here’s a photo.
The Blue Sky was operated by Arthur and Roger Robinson from 1948 until 1965. Sumner Redstone and his Northeast Theatre Corp. (National Amusements) came to Michigan in 1964, acquiring the Miracle Mile, Waterford and Pontiac drive-ins. They took over the Blue Sky in 1965 and owned it until it’s closure in 1987. New link: http://www.michigandriveins.com/bluesky79.asp
Also, the Walled Lake (E. Lake Dr. 1945-50) and the Walake (Maple Rd. 1956-86) were two different drive-ins.
NA opened a mutiplex down the road from the Miracle Twin many years ago, it is now closed. The Miracle Twin and the Kenwood both have veteran managers who are big drive-in fans.
Thanks for posting the links to the americanclassicimages.com site Lost Memory, there’s some great old shots on that site! Here’s a 1999 shot I took of the original marquee.
The Lansing Drive-In was not a portable theater. Apparently there was renumbering in the past as CWalczak suggests. I found the 5097 address on the county assessor website. Looking at 5097 on Google Maps will take you to the exact site, the 5509 address takes you about ¼ mile south of this site. The Ingham County Human Services building on the site actually uses 5303 for an address.
All of the research (addresses, opening dates, owners, opening ads, etc.) found on Waterwinterwonderland.com was done by me, and originated at Michigandriveins.com. Drive-ins.com and Cinematour.com also “adopted” much of this research.
I’m still looking for any photos of the Lansing Drive-In. If anyone has any ideas, please let me know. I wonder if a Butterfield Theatres photo archive exists.
The former Northtown site has been a vacant lot since the theatre was torn down, there’s no book store near there. Photos are posted here.
Here’s an updated link.
IMO, the Miracle Twin will never reopen. There’s no “saving” it. If NA sells the property, I’m sure there will be a clause preventing it from ever reopening as a theater. It will sit and rot, just like so many of their other drive-ins did. It’s closure has nothing to do with the economy or NA’s current troubles, it’s coincidental.
The owner, Lou Warrington, passed away on February 18th, 2009. According to a Flint News story, the family will open the drive-in for more year as a tribute to Lou. Please come out often this summer and experience this fantastic theater. Lou and the 23 will be missed.
US-23 photos here.
Here’s a 1957 aerial of the Hillside.
Does the Quo still stand?
Here is a 1966 aerial.
Here is a 1980 aerial.
Here is a 1966 aerial image.
Here is a photo I assume is the Johnny All Weather. Maybe someone can verify it. Here is a 1966 aerial photo.
Here’s an aerial shot from 1962.
There was another Double Drive-In in Chicago, it was located at 87th and Cicero St. Here’s an aerial shot from from 1951.
Here’s an aerial shot from 1972.
Here’s an aerial shot from 1974
Here’s a aerial shot from 1974.
Here is an aerial shot from 1972.
Here’s an aerial shot from 1962.
This drive-in was called the “Four Screen Drive-In” when it opened in June, 1950. It was later converted to a single screen, and then a twin. The actual address was 745 W. 138th St. Riverdale, IL 60827. Here’s a photo.
Link: http://michigandriveins.com/gratiot82.asp
jreyes2, I’d like to talk to you about your uncle. Please contact me at
The Blue Sky was operated by Arthur and Roger Robinson from 1948 until 1965. Sumner Redstone and his Northeast Theatre Corp. (National Amusements) came to Michigan in 1964, acquiring the Miracle Mile, Waterford and Pontiac drive-ins. They took over the Blue Sky in 1965 and owned it until it’s closure in 1987. New link: http://www.michigandriveins.com/bluesky79.asp
Also, the Walled Lake (E. Lake Dr. 1945-50) and the Walake (Maple Rd. 1956-86) were two different drive-ins.
NA opened a mutiplex down the road from the Miracle Twin many years ago, it is now closed. The Miracle Twin and the Kenwood both have veteran managers who are big drive-in fans.
Both of the owners have recently passed away, and the Devils Lake Drive-In has been permanently closed.