Motor-Vu Drive-In
200 Cascade Drive,
Lebanon,
OR
97355
200 Cascade Drive,
Lebanon,
OR
97355
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Tadd Nelson opened the Motor-Vu Drive-In on March 10, 1950 with Mark Steven in “Sand” & Richard Crane in “Arthur Takes Over”. He later sold it to Carl Hermansem in 1974, who ran it until it closed in 2003. The field could hold 400 cars, but Carl like to cap it off below that to keep the crowds manageable.
In 2002, plans for a new Wal-Mart Super Center to be built next to the existing store sparked rumors for the drive-in’s demise. A campaign to stop construction led up to a fight involving the Land Use Board of Appeals. The drive-in property was to be mainly used to re-route new traffic in the area. But it also meant paving over the last original sections of the Santiam Wagon Road that dates back to the Civil War.
Wal-Mart eventually prevailed and the Motor-Vu Drive-In opened for their last season in 2003. The final program was September 7, 2003 with “Open Range” & “Freddy Vs. Jason”.
Today, a kiosk stands near the old trail and tells the history of the area. In June 2012, what once were ramps between the snack bar and screen, was replaced with new retail space and parking.
Contributed by
Steve Swanson
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Recent comments (view all 5 comments)
There are over thirty pictures of the Motor-Vu on its gallery page at Drive-ins.com.
Overview photo & description credit Lisa Dumas. “My stepdad Don Gorman, when he worked at the Motor-Vu theater. The German Shepherd was the guard dog for the ticket booth. Lebanon, Oregon abt. 1954”
The Motor Vu opened before 1951.
Boxoffice, March 17, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - Mild Weather brought on an early reopening of the Motor Vu Drive-In. Tadd Nelson is manager.”
Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - During a recent showing at the Lebanon Motor Vue, flames followed two explosions in the projection booth when films caught fire. Projectionist Carrol Courtnier fought the fire while throwing all electrical switches, then crawled from the rear door of the booth. Firemen arrived to control the blaze. New equipment was flown to Salem overnight from Salt Lake City and the following evening the place was again in operation.”
More like 200 Cascade Dr, Lebanon, OR 97355.
It had a longer driveway.
Now the smoke shop south of WalMart. Please update.
Opened on March 10, 1950 with Mark Stevens in “Will James Sand” and Richard Crane in “Arthur Takes Over” along with an unnamed cartoon.