Waterford Drive-In
3520 Airport Road,
Waterford,
MI
48329
3520 Airport Road,
Waterford,
MI
48329
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I always wondered what that empty lot across from my grandparents church was. I’m surprised it’s remained empty for all these years, and that you can still see the outline on Google Maps.
In his 2014 book “Michigan’s Drive-In Theaters,” Harry Skrdla’s list included the “Star-Lite” as the only drive-in in Waterford, capacity 280 cars.
WaterWinterWonderland, the apparent source of many of the images uploaded here for the Waterford, says that the drive-in opened on April 15, 1948. I wonder whether it opened as the Starlite.
Film Daily, July 1, 1948: “Detroit — Impatient at having films scheduled for the Starlite Drive-In at Pontiac delivered to the Blue Sky Drive-In, located a few miles away, Starlite owners have decided to change the outdoor theater’s name to the Waterford Drive-In. Now they hope prints are not shipped to the Blue Water Drive-ln, some 60 miles away.”
The 1949 Film Daily Year Book didn’t list any Waterford Drive-Ins in Michigan and still included the Starlite under Pontiac. The Oakland Press newspaper clipping that Granola uploaded here a few years ago advertises 1947 films shown at the right address with the Waterford name, so I just don’t know.
Beginning with its 1950-51 edition, the Motion Picture Almanac listed the Starlight under Waterford MI, capacity 600, owner Starlight Drive-In Theatres, Inc. In the 1962 edition, that changed to “Drive-In,” owner C & S Drive-In Theas.
In 1986 National Amusements, closed all of their Toledo Area drive-ins. Thank god we still have the Field of Dreams and the Sundance (AKA Parkside) going great!!Thanks for the update Chuck!!