HomeDrive-In TheatersM-104 Drive-In Theatre - Spring Lake, MI

M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Spring Lake MI

Address: 14950 Cleveland
City: Spring Lake
State: MI
Zip: 49456
County: Ottawa
Open: 1955 (8-30-55) AD
Closed: 1982 (9-4-82)
Capacity:
Owner History: Steve Eisner (1969-) Wis. Wetsman (1977)
Number of visits to this page: 15192
General Information:

Update June 8th 2023 from John Witman: There was only one Drive-In in Spring Lake. The theater was not in operation in 1963 when I took over. I replaced the screen in 1964, cleaned up the property and ran 1st run films, Mary Poppins, Goldfinger! . Business was good at that time, I turned over operations to Steve Eisner mid 1965, he then renamed it M104. Now at 85 enjoying summers in Florida.

Source: MichiganDriveIns.com

The Spring Lake drive-in mystery continues, did Spring Lake have one, two or three drive-ins? Further newspaper ad research has found the Ottawa Drive-In had its grand opening on August 30th, 1955. The last ad found for the Ottawa was on September 22nd, 1963. No ads were found for any Spring Lake drive-ins all through 1964. The first ad for the Oasis Drive-In is found on May 14th, 1965. Another Oasis ad on May 21st states; "Watch for our Grand Opening coming soon."

Apparently the Oasis Drive-In was very short-lived, the last ad found was on September 20th, 1965. Next, we found the first ad for the M-104 Drive-In on April 1st,1966. The ad proclaims the M-104 Drive-In is re-opening on April 8th, under new management. There is, however, no mention of a name change. The M-104 continued on through the 1970s, adding a second screen and becoming the M-104 Twin Drive-In on June 1st, 1979.

The M-104 Twin didn't last much longer, it closed for good on September 4th, 1982 with "Porky's" & "Incubus" on screen one, and "Slumber Party Massacre" & "Satan's Mistresses" on screen two. Were the Ottawa, Oasis, and M-104 all the same drive-in? Thorough research through the 1950s & 60s newspapers did not find any of these three running ads simultaneously, so most likely they were all the same drive-in. But, it still isn't clear, so more research is in order.

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Info Updates:
7/16/2012 - Dianna Corbett
My uncle Norris Hogsett lived next door to the M-104. He had the pony rides and took care of the theater for many yrs. My mom worked there, too. I have a lot of wonderful memories of peaking through the slit between the seat and watching some wonderful movies like The Pit and the Pendulum and a lot of Audy Murphy movies, too. Great Saturday night dates, too. laying on the hood of the car and watching the movie with my date. :-).
12/5/2008 - John Whitman
I acquired this Drive-In theatre from Mr. Jeff Ringold in Grand Rapids in mid 1963..at the time it was not in operation, it was previously the Ottawa Drive-In. The screen tower was in need of replacement which I did the fall of '63. In addition, I remolded the concession stand spring of 1964. I operated as the Oasis Drive in until mid 1965 where being under capitalized turned the theatre over to Mr. Steve Eisner. There was questions with respect to how many Drive-Ins in Spring Lake, there was only 1, started with the Ottawa Drive In, to the Oasis Drive-In then to the M-104 Drive-In twin..During my time I had the pleasure of running Mary Poppins and Goldfinger 1st run..this was in part due to my booker, Mr Clive Waxman. I totally enjoyed the theatre scene, however I never went back into that business again.
5/3/2003 - Cactus Bob (Bobby Peacock)
I just got a call from the Spring Lake Historical society, and using old phone books, they have found that the Oasis and M-104 drive-ins were the same! They told me that in 1965, the Oasis was listed at 14950 Cleveland, and every other year they have lists the M-104 and Oasis as both being 14950 Cleveland. In short, the Oasis and M-104 are one in the same! As for the Ottawa... Still no info.
 Photos:17
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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.

M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Vintage Aerial
Vintage Aerial
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - That Area In June 10 2022
That Area In June 10 2022
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Street Now From Water Winter Wonderland
Street Now From Water Winter Wonderland
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Ottawa Grand Opening Ad 8-27-55
Ottawa Grand Opening Ad 8-27-55
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Ottawa Grand Opening Ad 8-29-55
Ottawa Grand Opening Ad 8-29-55
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Ottawa Grand Opening Ad 8-30-55
Ottawa Grand Opening Ad 8-30-55
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - M-104 Ad 4-1-66
M-104 Ad 4-1-66
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - M-104 Ad 4-8-66
M-104 Ad 4-8-66
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - 1972 Ad
1972 Ad
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Oasis Ad 5-14-65
Oasis Ad 5-14-65
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Oasis Ad 5-21-65
Oasis Ad 5-21-65
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Oasis Ad 9-25-65
Oasis Ad 9-25-65
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Ottawa Drive-In Ad July 2 1957
Ottawa Drive-In Ad July 2 1957
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Topo From Terraserver
Topo From Terraserver
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - 1955 Aerial
1955 Aerial
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Aug 1955 Article (newer photo)
Aug 1955 Article (newer photo)
M-104 Drive-In Theatre - Topo Overlay From Terraserver
Topo Overlay From Terraserver
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