Drive-In Movie Theaters


University Drive-In
Photo by Ben Thompson

Ann Arbor once had two drive-in movie theaters, the University and the Scio. The University was torn down and there is now a big multi-screen indoor theater on the site.


Sign from the Scio Drive-In

The Scio on Jackson Road sat abandoned for many years. All that is left now is the sign, which sits in a back yard on the Old West Side.

The Willow Drive-In on Michigan Ave east of Ypsilanti, across from the Orange Lantern, was torn down and replaced with a trailer park. The Wayne, on Michigan Ave in Wayne next to the Ford truck plant, was torn down in about 1990 for an addition to the plant. Drive-Ins in Adrian and Brighton both closed in the late 80s or early 90s.


Ford Wyoming Drive-In

The nearest drive-in now is the Ford Wyoming in Detroit, the biggest in the world with nine screens. It is open all year.


Odorama card from Polyester.

Jim Rees