Overtaken by Weeds: The Tri-City Drive-In Theater, Quinnesec

Along US-2 in the Upper Peninsula, there are many businesses that have gone belly-up for one reason or another. Abandoned motels, restaurants, gas stations, general stores, souvenir shops, roadside amusements, and drive-in theaters dot the landscape of the entire U.P.

The Tri-City Drive-in theater was located on US-2 in Quinnesec near Iron Mountain. The drive-in opened in 1953. As with many drive-ins, there was a playground for the kids to spend time on while it was still too light to show movies. The playgrounds were usually just under the big screen, making it easier for parents to keep a watchful eye on their children.

Yeah, and the concession stand had the usual greasy junk food that was commonplace at drive-ins.

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The Tri-City Drive-in closed for good in 1989, with the sign remaining by the road for a number of years. In the property next door, a new, indoor cinema opened. With a new sign sporting “Thomas Theaters”, Google Maps has it currently listed as Tri-City Cinema 8.

There are still bits and pieces of the old drive-in, covered in grass and weeds. The old asphalt entrance and exit are easy to find, if you can tell which is which. Who knows what else you’ll find back in the weeds...a speaker? Parts of the old concession stand or ticket booth? You’ll just have to go and explore for yourself.