Jackson’s Forgotten Drive-in Theatre: The Hill Top 1950-1954

The Hill Top (or Hilltop) Drive-in Theatre in Jackson County is one of the area’s most curious, elusive places. There are ads, there are memories, there are comments.....but so far NO photos or images of the theater are forthcoming. SOMEBODY has to have a photo or two of this place!

Most old-timers in Jackson remember the Jackson Drive-In and the Bel-Air Drive-in, but extreme few recall the Hill Top. You can find the former location if you head north on 127. As you drive under the Henry Road bridge, just a short way on the right-hand side, you’ll see the landing strip (field) that can be used by planes who need to make emergency landings. At the far end of that strip is where the Hill Top Drive-In used to be. The address was listed as 7700 Lansing Avenue. It’s actually at the junction of Lansing Avenue and Rives-Eaton Road.

The Hill Top opened on May 26, 1950 and was operated by John Buck and Larry Dingee. The lot could hold up to 80 vehicles and the film projection was only sixteen millimeter.

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As to when and why it closed for good is open for debate. Some say it shut down in 1952 and others claim it was 1954.

Neighbors said the speakers were very loud and could be heard from miles away. The loud noise possibly could be the reason for closing. Whatever the reason was for shutting down permanently, the last newspaper mention that appeared for the Hill Top was a Help Wanted ad on August 19, 1954.

Anybody have any photos of this place? Or any more information?