Motor-Vu Drive-In

200 Cascade Drive,
Lebanon, OR 97355

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Photo & description credit Lisa Dumas.

Tadd Nelson opened the Motor-Vu Drive-In on March 10, 1950 with Mark Steven in “Sand” & Richard Crane in “Arthur Takes Over”. He later sold it to Carl Hermansem in 1974, who ran it until it closed in 2003. The field could hold 400 cars, but Carl like to cap it off below that to keep the crowds manageable.

In 2002, plans for a new Wal-Mart Super Center to be built next to the existing store sparked rumors for the drive-in’s demise. A campaign to stop construction led up to a fight involving the Land Use Board of Appeals. The drive-in property was to be mainly used to re-route new traffic in the area. But it also meant paving over the last original sections of the Santiam Wagon Road that dates back to the Civil War.

Wal-Mart eventually prevailed and the Motor-Vu Drive-In opened for their last season in 2003. The final program was September 7, 2003 with “Open Range” & “Freddy Vs. Jason”.

Today, a kiosk stands near the old trail and tells the history of the area. In June 2012, what once were ramps between the snack bar and screen, was replaced with new retail space and parking.

Contributed by Steve Swanson

Recent comments (view all 5 comments)

CSWalczak
CSWalczak on October 21, 2012 at 11:22 am

There are over thirty pictures of the Motor-Vu on its gallery page at Drive-ins.com.

DavidZornig
DavidZornig on March 19, 2022 at 12:38 pm

Overview photo & description credit Lisa Dumas. “My stepdad Don Gorman, when he worked at the Motor-Vu theater. The German Shepherd was the guard dog for the ticket booth. Lebanon, Oregon abt. 1954”

MichaelKilgore
MichaelKilgore on March 27, 2023 at 6:25 pm

The Motor Vu opened before 1951.

Boxoffice, March 17, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - Mild Weather brought on an early reopening of the Motor Vu Drive-In. Tadd Nelson is manager.”

Boxoffice, April 21, 1951: “LEBANON, ORE. - During a recent showing at the Lebanon Motor Vue, flames followed two explosions in the projection booth when films caught fire. Projectionist Carrol Courtnier fought the fire while throwing all electrical switches, then crawled from the rear door of the booth. Firemen arrived to control the blaze. New equipment was flown to Salem overnight from Salt Lake City and the following evening the place was again in operation.”

Jamey_monroe45
Jamey_monroe45 on July 19, 2023 at 2:24 am

More like 200 Cascade Dr, Lebanon, OR 97355.

It had a longer driveway.

Now the smoke shop south of WalMart. Please update.

50sSNIPES
50sSNIPES on July 22, 2023 at 10:29 am

Opened on March 10, 1950 with Mark Stevens in “Will James Sand” and Richard Crane in “Arthur Takes Over” along with an unnamed cartoon.

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