Morris Road Drive-In
854 Morris Road,
Columbus,
GA
31906
854 Morris Road,
Columbus,
GA
31906
2 people
favorited this theater
Showing 15 comments
This and the Victory drive-In opened on March 28th, 1952 and closed in 1955. Grand opening ad in the photo section.
Just returned here after a long spell, great to see more information on Morris Road, and “Newby”.
Above address is incorrect. According to topo maps, this drive-in was further north across from Boxwood Park. Approx. address would be where the lot is at 900 Morris Road.
The Motion picture almanac of 1956 must have been AWFUL slow in removing Drive-ins if this one was gone in 1953.Just printing the Facts in the Almanac,I live on the other side of the State.
854 Morris Rd, Columbus, GA 31906
The above address will map accurately to the location of the drive-in, which is currently occupied by Stewart Wood Craft.
Here is a 1968 aerial photo of the remains of the drive-in, courtesy of Earth Explorer and USGS.
The drive-in was already long gone when the 1968 image was captured, but the faded parking ramps are still visible on the east side of Morris Road where the drive-in used to be.
No 300 cars in 1956, then, eh?
The Morris Road Drive In did not survive the tornado of
April 1953. The drive in was demolished as were several homes
in the Chattahoochee Valley. The decision was made not to rebuild
as attendance wasn’t as steady as at the Rexview, Victory, Edgewood,
Columbus and Phenix Drive Ins.
Sure could use an address or crossroad, more info or photos.
I would never have thought it, and, again, so little (or nothing) has been written down anywhere about all this… the Drive-In Theater or there being another Pritchett’s Fish Camp right there. I do remember the Abstract Bar, right across the tracks where Merry Acres Industrial Park begins, also. Any more Morris Road memories, anyone? Fascinating.
Now it turns out that they say there was a Pritchett’s Fish Camp just right down the street from Bobby’s Bar! This is some amazing history coming out, I would never have thought it:
“I know Morris Rd. runs from Buena VIsta Rd to Forest Rd and curves by the tracks where there was a Pritchetts. I believe I remember the Morris Rd. Drive-in being where the old junk yard is now between BVR and the curve.” -Gene Alexander
Ah, and now this item appears in Google Search, again for a dead link, unfortunately:
“19531219 Boxoffice / December 19, 1953 – 5:57pm The Morris Road Drive-In, Columbus, has been purchased by Martin Theatres. The circuit has closed for the winter these drive-ins: Jet…"
issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_121953
So, we can pretty well say it was around as late as 1956… and I found this item, as the mystery deepens, as this appeared in Google Search, but when the link was clicked, the site is defunct:
“19541023 Boxoffice / October 23, 1954 – 4:18pm Bobby White, manager of the Morris Road Drive-In of Columbus. Ga., and the two concessions attendants. Myrl and Thelma. Riadon, in a competition held by the…"
issuu.com/boxoffice/docs/boxoffice_102354
I figure it must have been on the spot where the golf/driving range is, next to where I-185 crosses Morris… See More, or a bit down, where the truck driving school is. In fact, a few minutes ago we rode past both & I spotted some really old pavement in the field there at the latter, and the size of the area looks about right for a drive-in.
All the info I had came from a 1956 motion Picture almamac,wish i had more.Might be able to Archive it with the Columbus newspaper and look at the old theatre ads.
I’ve been on and off Morris Road thousands of times in my life (my parents bought a house near there in 1965) and this is the first I’ve heard of a Morris Road Drive-In Theater! So, obviously, it was long gone by 1965 or I’m certain I’d have known of it. Best I can figure, it must have been possibly where the golfing area is now, or the truck driving school. Very interested in more information on this!
Hopefully, some Army folks stationed at Fort Benning in the late 50’s early 60’s will be able to add to the Morris Road Drive-in.