Big Rapids Drive-In
18612 Northland Drive,
Big Rapids,
MI
49307
18612 Northland Drive,
Big Rapids,
MI
49307
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Additional Info
Previously operated by: Goodrich Quality Theaters
Previous Names: University Drive-In
Nearby Theaters
The Big Rapids Drive-In was opened by 1955, car capacity was listed at 300 with a single screen. The drive-in was last operated by Goodrich Quality Theatres. No closing date listed but has since been demolished.
Contributed by
Chuck
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
The information above is incorrect.
Now Burnips Equipment Company.
The correct address for this Drive-in is 18612 Northland Dr, Big Rapids, MI 49307.
The outline is still visible at this address.
Please update.
This was apparently opened well before 1963. It is fully visible in a 1955 historic aerial.
Concession building still exists on the site.
The Big Rapids Drive-In became national headlines on the early morning hours of October 12, 1964 when unexpected auto fumes, related to carbon monoxide, killed seven people across Northern Michigan, including an entire family of five from 90 miles away in St. Charles, Michigan.
The other two non-family victims, identified as a young Western Michigan couple from both Sears and Hersey, were found at the traces of the Big Rapids Drive-In. Manager James Chipman told officers from the Reed City Police Department that he discovered the bodies in their vehicle while it was still running at 1:02 AM ET that morning. Chipman did shut off their vehicle but arouse the pair before calling the police. He attempted to revive them with a resuscitator but failed. They were pronounced dead after arrival at the Big Rapids Community Hospital.
As of 2024, the concession building is still being used by the business on the property.