Indian River Theatre - Indian River MI 

Address: 3885 S Straits Hwy
City: Indian River
State: MI
Zip: 49749
County: Cheboygan
Open: 1950's
Capacity: 400
Owner History: Tony Schneider, Dean Masterson, George H. Quick, Mr. and Mrs. Albert Pollard
Theater Type: Small Town Movie Palace
Number of visits to this page: 6572
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.

General Information:

Update 10/15/2024: From Elayne Casey - Yes, the Quonset hut behind what is now Pollard's Service, was the old movie theater. The "Snake Dance" would wind its way up main street and back, while the Pep band played from the back of a wagon or truck, leading the "dance". It was usually held the Friday night before the Saturday Homecoming game. We would all join hands and it would be a rendition of "Crack the Whip" without the ice and skates. Fond memories of my childhood. The theater was the main gathering spots for the local parades back then.

This theater operated in the 50's and 60's steadily. By the 1970's, it was also doubling as a Lutheran church. One of the mentions of church services gives the location as being on Main St. The classified ad listing gives the dimensions as 42x100 feet. Looking at the old articles, there is a mention of a homecoming dance that centered around the theater in 1971. The kids would snake-dance around the "village" and back to the theater.

OK, so where would the "village" be? I think right about where Pollard's Service is now based on historical aerial photography. That was where most of the structures were concentrated, roughly speaking. The former operator of the theater was the Pollard family. There is a Quonset hut looking structure behind Pollard's Service. Could this have been the old auditorium? It wouldn't be the first time a structure like this was used for that purpose. There are 2-3 examples around Michigan, the Ken in Frankenmuth being one that comes to mind. It's a bit of a long shot, but a possibility nonetheless.

Info Updates:
12/18/2003 - Box Office Magazine
July 1959 - The Indian River at Indian River reopened by George H. Quick, with Floyd Chrysler booking.
 Photos:9
Indian River Theatre - Petoskey News Review Thu Apr 22 1971
Petoskey News Review Thu Apr 22 1971
Indian River Theatre - Possible Location - Confidence Factor Not High
Possible Location - Confidence Factor Not High
Indian River Theatre - 31 May 1968 Ad
31 May 1968 Ad
Indian River Theatre - Aug 7 1969
Aug 7 1969
Indian River Theatre - For Sale In June 1965
For Sale In June 1965
Indian River Theatre - July 2 1971 On Main St
July 2 1971 On Main St
Indian River Theatre - June 19 1969
June 19 1969
Indian River Theatre - Oct 15 1971 Homecoming Dance
Oct 15 1971 Homecoming Dance
Indian River Theatre - Sept 14 1954
Sept 14 1954
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