HomeDrive-In TheatersJackson Drive-In Theatre - Jackson, MI

Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Jackson MI

Address: 4400 Ann Arbor Rd
City: Jackson
State: MI
Zip: 49202
County: Jackson
Open: 1948 (4-17-48) AD
Closed: <1988>
Capacity: 700
Owner History: Redstone (1969-) Lawrence J. Aubry
Number of visits to this page: 29529
General Information:

Source: Jackson Citizen Patriot

JACKSON, MI – School is out and the temperatures are soaring. In Jackson’s not-too-distant past, this would be exactly the time that around sundown every night people would pack up their cars and head to a movie at one of the city’s two drive-in theaters. For nearly 40 years, the Jackson Drive-In, 4400 Ann Arbor Road, and the Bel-Air Drive-In, 2603 W. Michigan Ave. , provided cheap summertime entertainment. Whether it was teenagers on a date at the “passion pit” or families with young kids looking for a night out on the town that didn’t require a babysitter, the drive-in theater was the place to be.

On April 29, 1955, Jackson’s Bel-Air Drive-In opened with the slogan, “Come Out West. See Your Stars Under The Stars. ” Alan Ladd and Shelley Winters starred in “Saskatchewan,” and “Thunder Bay,” with James Stewart and Joanne Dru rounded out the double-feature. Admission was 50 cents for adults and free for children younger than 12. Ladies received a free gift and kids got free candy.

With their own charm and some unique advantages, drive-in theaters – including those in Jackson – flourished. Patrons could bring in their own food and drink, including alcoholic beverages. All else that was needed were pillows and blankets for the kids and a can of mosquito spray. “You were charged per person for who was in the car,” Kalen said. “The kids figured out how to get around that by putting a few people in the trunk. ” In 1969, Mr. and Mrs. E. L. Samuels, who owned both Jackson drive-in theaters for about 12 years, sold them to National Amusements of Boston, which also operated as Redstone Theaters Inc. Both of Jackson’s drive-ins closed at the end of the summer season in 1987. They’ve both been demolished.

Keywords:
Info Updates:
5/18/2023 - Deborah A Cole
Eugene Cole, my father, was the Jackson Drive-in Theatre manager for nearly all of the time that it was open. He later went to manage the later years at the Bel-air Drive in Theatre.
10/20/2003 - WaterWinterWonderland
A closer look revealed that the moonbeam light in the rear of the lot is still standing.
 Photos:34
Disclaimer:

Please note that location entries may feature older photos or post card views that may not represent the current appearance, features, addresses, phone numbers, or contact names of the attraction. This site is intended to be a historical as well as current record of various attractions but it is not always possible to have up-to-date information due to the vast number of locations featured here. We ask you consult the propietor for current information.

Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Photo From Daniel Brooks Collection
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - From Harry Skrdla
From Harry Skrdla
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Old Picture
Old Picture
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Old Picture
Old Picture
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Old Picture
Old Picture
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Old Picture
Old Picture
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Old Picture
Old Picture
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Late 80S Jackson Demo From News Article Courtesy Hal
Late 80S Jackson Demo From News Article Courtesy Hal
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Old Picture
Old Picture
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Old Picture
Old Picture
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Moonbeam Light
Moonbeam Light
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Moonbeam Light
Moonbeam Light
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Driveway - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Driveway - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Driveway
Driveway
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Another Driveway - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Another Driveway - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Another View - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Another View - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Now An Empty Lot - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Now An Empty Lot - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Lot - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Lot - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Old Ad From Ron Gross
Old Ad From Ron Gross
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Tickets - Photo From Rg
Tickets - Photo From Rg
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - June 18 2022 Photo
June 18 2022 Photo
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - June 18 2022 Photo
June 18 2022 Photo
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - June 18 2022 Photo
June 18 2022 Photo
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Aerial
Aerial
Jackson Drive-In Theatre - Birds Eye
Birds Eye
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