HomeDrive-In TheatersLakes Drive-In Theatre - Brighton, MI

Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Brighton MI 

Address: 10501 E Grand River Ave
City: Brighton
State: MI
Zip: 48116
County: Livingston
Open: 1951 (5-11-51)
Closed: 1989 (9-3-89)
Capacity:
Owner History: Mutual Theaters
Number of visits to this page: 19900
General Information:

Source: David Anderson

It was my grandfather, Charles Arlington Anderson that ran this theater (as noted in the article) I believe he had a 25 yr lease for the property. He had also worked at the LaSalle theater as noted on his military registration form 'motion picture operator. ' He was proud of the fact to only show family oriented movies. I was awful young in the early 60's, and don't remember to much, since we lived in Chicago at this time, but I do remember seeing Mary Poppin's for the first time there. Great memories. He was able to retire to Florida and died in 1979 at the age of 79. Of course there are many stories of him, but one I remember is that during the depression he was able to get a job as an electrician after just reading a book on the subject!.

From WWW

Everything is gone, A street runs through the lot with new ice arena and ice cream store. The only drive-in ever built in Livingston County, it was once quite a hopping place. After the theater closed, I asked the realtor how much the land was selling for, the answer was over 1 million dollars. Clearly the former owners could not pass up that kind of return on their investment as it was probably purchased for a fraction of that back when this area was mostly rural.

Keywords:
Info Updates:
3/24/2008 - B.J. McDevitt
For a time, The Lakes had two marquees. The one pictured here which was facing Grand River Ave., and a smaller one that faced I-96. The smaller one had fallen into disrepair, and was abandoned years before the drive-in closed.
10/22/2007 - Dan
As a high school teenager in the summer of 1954 I worked as an usher at the Lake's. I was one of several ushers who would, with flashlights, help direct and guide cars to a parking spot as it was lights out after you passed the ticket booth. I would work from dusk to the end of the movies, then help direct the cars out. For this I was paid$5.00 a night. Not really bad for a 17 year old in 1954. The work was easy and $5went a longer way back then.
5/5/2004 - Kirk Jarvinen
The Lakes Drive-in opened at 6:30 pm on Friday May 11, 1951 (not 53) playing JEEPERS CREEPERS (starring Weaver Bros.) -also- SADDLE TRAMP (with Joel McCrea). Capacity: "Speakers for 700 automobiles on the opening evening, and space for more." Info obtained from microfilm of The Livingston County Press Wednesday, May 9, 1951. Page Fifteen: News Article "New Theatre to Open Friday" Page Twenty-Four: Large Grand Opening ad.
 Photos:46
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.

Lakes Drive-In Theatre - 1980 Photo
1980 Photo
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Marquee Overgrown - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Marquee Overgrown - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Marquee Overgrown - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Marquee Overgrown - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Out Sign - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Out Sign - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Projection - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Projection - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Ticket Booth - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Ticket Booth - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Concession And Projection - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Concession And Projection - Photo From Water Winter Wonderland
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Screen From Projection Booth From Water Winter Wonderland
Screen From Projection Booth From Water Winter Wonderland
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Old Photo
Old Photo
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Screen Wrecked From Michigandriveins
Screen Wrecked From Michigandriveins
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Screen And Concession
Screen And Concession
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - From Rear Of Lot
From Rear Of Lot
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Screen - Photo From Rg
Screen - Photo From Rg
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Restored 21 Neon Marquee From Ebay Auction Dec 2002
Restored 21 Neon Marquee From Ebay Auction Dec 2002
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Ebay Auction Image
Ebay Auction Image
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Rear Of Marquee Darryl Burgess
Rear Of Marquee Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Inside Concession Darryl Burgess
Inside Concession Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Inside Concession Darryl Burgess
Inside Concession Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Speaker Darryl Burgess
Speaker Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Start Times Darryl Burgess
Start Times Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Outside Concession Darryl Burgess
Outside Concession Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Inside Concession Darryl Burgess
Inside Concession Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Inside Concession Darryl Burgess
Inside Concession Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Outside Concession Darryl Burgess
Outside Concession Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Inside Concession 1989 Darryl Burgess
Inside Concession 1989 Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Outside Concession Darryl Burgess
Outside Concession Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Projector Darryl Burgess
Projector Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Outside Concession Darryl Burgess
Outside Concession Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Restroom Darryl Burgess
Restroom Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Inside Ticket Booth Darryl Burgess
Inside Ticket Booth Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Outside Concession Darryl Burgess
Outside Concession Darryl Burgess
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Historical Aerial
Historical Aerial
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Historical Aerial
Historical Aerial
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Historical Aerial
Historical Aerial
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Matchbook
Matchbook
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Opening Article 5-9-51 From Ron Gross
Opening Article 5-9-51 From Ron Gross
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Brighton Argus Article
Brighton Argus Article
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Old Ad
Old Ad
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - 1974 Ad
1974 Ad
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - 1989 Ad From Brighton Argus
1989 Ad From Brighton Argus
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Victoria Advocate Fireworks Accident
Victoria Advocate Fireworks Accident
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - 29 Aug 1962 Article
29 Aug 1962 Article
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - 09 Sep 1953 Article
09 Sep 1953 Article
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - 29 Jun 1960 Article
29 Jun 1960 Article
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Help Wanted Ad 1960S
Help Wanted Ad 1960S
Lakes Drive-In Theatre - Brighton Yearbook Ad
Brighton Yearbook Ad
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