Update: The M-104 Drive-In may have been originally named the Oasis and/or Ottawa Drive-In. No concrete evidence has been found yet. (Michigandriveins.com 8/8/03)

M-104
Newspaper Ad:"1 1/2 miles east of Spring Lake" (7/4/67 & 7/3/72)
Newpaper Ad:"1 1/2 miles east of Spring Lake" Ph. 842-7600 (4/8/66)
International Motion Picture Almanac listings:
Capacity:500 (1971-72) - 300 (1977)
Owner:Wis. Wetsman (1977)

AKA:OASIS
Newspaper Ad:"1 1/2 miles E. of Spring Lake" Ph. 842-4860 (9/25/65)
Newspaper Ad:"1 1/2 miles East of Spring Lake" (5/14/65)

AKA:OTTAWA
Newspaper Ad:"One mile east of Spring Lake on M-104" (7/5/62)
Newspaper Ad:"M-104 - 1 mile E. of Spring Lake" (7/4/60)
Newspaper Ad:"M-104 1 1/2 miles east of Spring Lake" (7/2/57)
Newspaper Ad:"1 mile East of Spring Lake on M-104" (8/30/55)

International Motion Picture Almanac listings:
Capacity:300 car (1959-68)
Capacity:300 car (1971-72)
Owner:Wm.Hogsett (1959-65)

Update: The Spring Lake drive-in mystery continues, did Spring Lake have one, two or three drive-in's? Further newspaper ad research has found the Ottawa Drive-In had it's 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-in's 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 1970's, 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 "Porkys" & "Incubus" on screen one, and "Slumber Party Massacre" & "Satans Mistresses" on screen two. Were the Ottawa, Oasis, and M-104 all the same drive-in? Thorough research through the 1950's & 60's 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. (Michigandriveins.com 3/21/04)

Update: In 1963 the Ottawa Drive-In was not in operaton, I leased the theater from Mr. Ringgold in Grand Rapids, and renamed it the Oasis Drive-In. Running family films, Mary Poppins, first run and Goldfinger. I improved the site by replacing the screen from wood to steel and remodeled the concession stand. However, coming into this project I was under capitolize and finally turned it over to Mr.Steve Eisner. I stayed on a short time as the projectionist but left in 1965. There was only (1) Drive-In in Spring Lake. The Ottawa Drive-In to Oasis Drive-In to M104 Drive-In. It was a good show place. (John Whitman 8/26/06)

Update: I aquired 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 remodeled the concession stand spring of 1964. I operated as the Oasis Drive in until mid 1965 where being under capitolized 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. (Waterwinterwonderland.com/John Whitman 12/5/08)