Update: I recall vacationing in this area about '76 or '77 and poking around the abandoned remains of this Drive-In. It was very close to the interchange for M-55 and US 127, near a cluster of restaurants and related businesses. It looked at that point as if it had been closed for quite some time. The screen tower was quite substantially constructed, with some artwork depicting some cartoonish chipmunks or squirrells, who were also on the marquee sign (which was laying in the tall weeds in the middle of the lot as I recall) The letters "55-HI" stood the entire width of the tower, although they were badly faded. The concession stand was still intact, but it seemed to be of a more recent construction than the screen tower--it didn't jibe architecturely with the screen tower. On my next visit to the area, (circa 1982) it was completely gone without a trace. (Andrew 11/6/02)

Update: Sorry. I took no photos. Of course, I was only 8 or 9 at the time! A couple other memories that have crept into mind since my earlier e-mail: There were no fences at all around the property that I recall, but there were some billboard-like signs (some for the drive-in, some not) stacked haphazardly around the lot that possibly could have been part of a fence. I also remember finding the outer shell of a speaker,(wish I'd kept it) and some different-sized gears that could have belonged to a projector. At any rate, thanks for this cool, cool website! (Andrew 11/6/02)

Update: I remember attending this drive-in, as it wasnt too far from Gladwin, and one night I drove up to borrow a box of carbons for Meredith and got to see the booth. The hallmark of an Olsen theatre was the generally superb, well-equipped projection booth, and this was no exception. Brenkert, or RCA BX100 heads, RCA 9030 soundheads, but also RCA stereo heads as well. Its a shame the 55HI isnt there anymore, for it was a beautiful facility, as any old time Houghton Laker will tell you. I think it might have been larger than 250 car capacity, because it was bigger than Meredith was, or so it seemed to me, and Meredith had 350 car capacity. (Waterwinterwonderland.com/Pat Weaver 8/15/05 )