(MCH) The Lakeshore Drive-In Traditional Cache
Hidden : 9/29/2014
Difficulty:
1.5 out of 5
Terrain:
1.5 out of 5

Size: Size: small (small)

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Geocache Description:

PLEASE be aware of the traffic here and do
NOT let any little cachers near the road.

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• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •
The Michigan Cinema History (MCH) caches are dedicated
to the local creation, viewing, or enjoyment of cinema-
related items in the local area.

This can include, and is not limited to, people, places,
and things relating to Cinema or both past-and-present.
This series is a companion to
the Detroit Cinema History (DCH) and
the Ontario Cinema History (OCH) series.
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Most Drive-In Movie Theaters consist of a large outdoor screen (either a wall painted-white, or a complex steel-truss structure with a complex finish), a projection booth, a concession stand and a large parking area for automobiles. Within this enclosed area, customers can view movies from the privacy and comfort of their cars.

The original Patent Drawings.

The idea originated in the early 1930's in Camden, NJ. and was Patented by Richard M. Hollingshead. His idea began as an experiment in his driveway with a Kodak Projector, mounted on the hood of his car, aimed at a screen that was attached to some trees. He tried different techniques and finally worked-out the parking-arrangement and spacing to allow everyone that attended, an unobstructed view of the screen. Once he had this idea in- place, he was granted a Patent in 1933 and He opened his first Drive-In Theater soon thereafter. This facility only lasted a few years before closing, but the idea caught-on elsewhere to become part of the American Pop-Culture and Landscape to-this-day.

Typical-style of Drive-In Theater Speakers with the Volume Knob.

Sound was originally produced from Speakers in the main screen tower, but the quality wasn't that good and many attempts were made to improve it. In 1941, the RCA corporation found a solution and along-came the in-car speakers with built-in volume controls that most drive-in patrons would come to know. These were better than the original Sound, but still had a very "tinny" sound to them. Later-on, as the technology improved, this system was replaced with Radio Broadcast equipment to allow the sound to be transmitted directly to the vehicles. This was an improved process for sound and also kept damage to the wired Speakers and/or patrons cars that would happen when folks would leave, after a good show of their favorite film, and some people would "forget to remove the speaker" and damage both the speaker and/or their cars in the process (i.e. Windows, or scratches/dents, etc.).

The popularity of the Drive-In's soared after World War II and peaked in the 1950's and 1960's. The theaters would provide cheap, family entertainment including many having a Playground (or other things) for their youngest patrons. For colder-weather, in-car heaters were also offered at many Theaters, much like the Speakers had been.



This type of heater plugged in to 120vAC (not 12V car power)
 to warm your car during cold nights at the drive in movie.

The Concession Stand (or Snack Bar) would have food that could be served very quickly. Hot Dogs, Pizza, Cheeseburgers, Popcorn, Soft Drinks, and a host of other "food" could be found there to enjoy along with the show. This is usually where the Theater makes most of it's profits and much of the promotions are geared towards that area.

An "intermission cartoon" to entice patrons to the Concession Stand.

This was vital to the success of drive-ins, as food revenue increased steadily during the late 1940s and 50s. While some operators experimented with talk-back speakers to take orders and deliver food to the car, others had mobile carts patrolling the lots selling snacks. Over time, owners discovered that concessions could be sold at a high mark-up and that revenues did not have to be shared with film distributors.

Another Intermission Ad

To this day, food revenue remains extremely important to exhibitors, especially with film rental rates going as high as 80% on opening weekends for some features. In order to promote the concessions, most locations used the now-famous drive-in intermission films, popularized by the Filmack Company, featuring dancing hot dogs and countdown clocks that were supposed to mesmerize the audience members, wet their pallets and open their wallets.

Many Theaters even had "car-hops" like their Drive-In Restaurant counterparts to make the experience even more appealing for their patrons.

A car-hop, taking an order (California)

The Drive-In owners would later allow other-uses for their large amounts of space which could only be used for the Theater after-sunset. This would usually generate more income for the theaters and some of these uses included Flea Markets, Swap Meets, and even Outdoor Church Services.

A typical Flea Market at the Mission Drive-In, San Antonio, Texas, 1984

Over time, with the advent of other sources of entertainment, as well as the rising cost of Real Estate and other economic factors, Cinematic Landmarks such as these have been slowly disappearing over the years, leaving less than 500 across the United States currently. Many of those which were closed were later demolished and the real-estate used for other things such as Office or Retail Space, with some being replaced on the exact same land with Mutli-Plex indoor Movie Theaters. Some properties have just been left vacant with nothing remaining there but an empty field. However, a very-select few that were closed have even re- opened to be given a new-life with new patrons looking for a very unique movie-going experience.

Many folks feel that these Gems of Americana are very much an endangered part of the landscape. Most, if not all of them, have very fond memories of their time spent there and would love to be able to revisit their favorite Drive-In Theater once again.

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Michigan Cinema History:
  The Lakeshore
Drive-In Theatre
5737 Lakeshore Rd., Fort Gratiot, MI 48060
• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •



OPEN: May 25, 1948 | CLOSED: 1986-87 | Capacity: 600



Street view of the Lakeshore's screen

The Lakeshore Drive-In Theatre was one of many Drive-In movie theatres located across the country.  When it was built in 1948, much of the area was farmland and open space.  Some folks moved to the area to get away from the "big city" and these folks wanted to be entertained with the latest in films coming from Hollywood and other places.  Some folks had lived here for many years and this was a welcome addition to the community.

1958 aerial view of the Lakeshore

When the Lakeshore opened, it was designed to only have a single-screen facility.  Back then, there was no idea of "multi-screen" drive-ins and the facility would remain that way during it's entire existence. while it was here.   Other drive-ins in the area would expand, or at least "split" their venues into 2, 3, 4, and even as many as 10 separate screens for the public to enjoy, but the this one remained as it was from beginning-to-end.

This "ozoner" (as many drive-ins were called) was owned by the H.J. Ochs and later Triangle Drive-In Co.  It had a capacity for 600 cars when it first opened in May of 1948 and would remain at that capacity throughout the time it was open.

It was also known to be something referred to as a "passion pit", where folks could entertain their more-romantic activities without fear of being discovered or bothered by others, due to the lack of lighting that the drive-in provided.


1961 Aerial view of the Lakeshore
 There is a Putt-Putt course next door
 to the north of the property
The popularity of the Drive-In theatre grew from its opening night and kept growing for many years afterwards.  It became a popular place to be and just "hang out" by folks of all ages.  Most of the weekend nights, during good weather, the theatre was filled to capacity.
 
For the evening showings, most of the time the Drive-In would have double-features, with the first film re-showing after the second one had completed.  Most of the time, the drive-in was a good value for the money as it would be a good evening's entertainment for folks of all ages including children being admitted for free many times.

The Lakeshore Drive-In was pretty-much seasonal for it's patrons the entire time it was open.  This was because during the colder months it was just too-cold to enjoy the show without freezing or possibly running out of gas in your car just to keep the heat on.  It's not known whether there were in-car heaters for patrons to use, as many of the Drive-In theates were installing those in the late 1960's to accomodate year-round entertainment for their patrons.


1990's aerial view after the drive-in closed.
During the warmer months in order to help control insects, the management would "smoke" the whole drive-in complex. The foggers were known to have some issues where they'd catch-fire in some Drive-In locations. This technology did improve over time however and had fewer-issues as time went on.

In the early-1980's the draw to the drive-in still brought folks in from many miles away....and business was good for many drive-ins across the country.  Unfortunately, that draw would begin to fade with other sources of entertainment such as computers and home-video sales and rentals.  In the mid-1980's, the decision was made by the owners to close the Lakeshore and clear the land, with the intention that someone would repurpose it to another use.

The land remained vacant for several years until 2005 when a developer began buildling a retirement complex on the southern half of the property.  Many of the folks that moved-in never knew the history of the land that their homes now stand upon, but i'm sure many of them would find it interesting, to be sure.

Original gated entrance - recent photo

 The Drive-in was an experience that many people cannot get out and enjoy much anymore.  The viewing and experience of watching a movie from the comfort of your own automobile, truck, or van.

Economics changed as time went on, and many drive-ins closed in the mid-to-late-1980s and early 1990's. The introduction of VCRs and other at-home entertainment meant more people were either staying home to watch movies or going to indoor movie theatres which were getting bigger screens and Dolby sound. This evolution would lead to the decline of "going to the movies" and folks staying-home.
Land values and prices began to go up and the suburbs gradually expanded around it. As the area built up, property taxes also increased until the cost of the taxes on the 20+ acres that most drive-in's occupied were more than the net income the theatre generated.

Foundation from the screen - recent photo

 After little more than half a century, the era of the Drive-In Theatre ended. Most people that visited Drive In's consider themselves lucky. Most don’t remember what movies they saw but many of them do remember how exciting it was to be outside late at night, loading up at the snack bar and then then trying not to fall asleep while watching the flickering movie screen from the comfy backseat of the car.

One theater goer summed up her feelings. "You just worry sometimes that it will be all gone. We felt so sorry to see those others all go. We really enjoyed this place."

Many folks feel that the Drive-in Theater is a part of an Endangered Americana that is missed by all who treasured the times that they had there.


This theatre was a wonderful part of
the area...and was a beautiful
sight to behold in its day.

This is what makes it part of
Michigan Cinema History.
IF you have more information, pictures, or memories of the Lakeshore Drive-In,
please feel free to share in your logs and I will try to add it to the Cache page.

Thank You.

Please BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS and as always, Enjoy the Hunt!

Additional Hints (Decrypt)

Jryy thneqrq

Decryption Key

A|B|C|D|E|F|G|H|I|J|K|L|M
-------------------------
N|O|P|Q|R|S|T|U|V|W|X|Y|Z

(letter above equals below, and vice versa)


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