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Galaxy Drive-In 25257 Dequindre Road, Madison Heights, MI

Photo Scott Biggs - courtesy of waterwinterwonderland

The Galaxy Drive-In opened on August 22, 1963 and was built by the Nicholas George in the Detroit Suburb of Madison Heights, MI. It had a capacity of 1400 vehicles.

When it was built, there was much careful planning given to the construction of the Galaxy and included the idea of “Planned Functionalism”.

Nicholas George called-upon the services of a company from Akron, Ohio who was a specialist in Drive-In design and construction. The Ohio company had been consulted as the owners wanted to have them evaluate and perfect the design prior to construction beginning on the Galaxy, to ensure that the plans they had would be properly adapted to the site.

Metro Detroit was well-known for having the largest concentrations of well-designed drive-ins in the country and the owners wanted to make sure that this trend continued with this Drive-In Theatre as well.

The Galaxy was designed to be an all-year Drive-In equipped with in-car heaters for the around-1400 vehicles that were anticipated to visit for any given show, and in any kind of weather, rain or (moon) shine. The side-fences were painted a royal blue, similar to the color-scheme in the indoor Mai-Kai theatre in Livonia that had also been opened by Nicholas George group just before the Galaxy.

Even the marquee (often called an “Attraction Board”) was esthetically pleasing to the eye both day and night, with its blue colors and many stars because of course, this was “the Galaxy” and that decor was only fitting for the name.

The canopy over the entrance area was custom-designed for the location to embody the types that were “standard” in-use at drive-in restaurants, but not so much with drive-in theatres. This canopy was a zig-zag style and was supported on a “Lazy 7 post” type of support.

All these ideas and planned innovations made for a well-thought-out and well-designed theatre for both owners and patrons but it’s hard to say whether the patrons of the Galaxy knew of, or cared about, all the design and planning that had gone into the the Drive-in, or if it was just the fun and enjoyment of the shows that they would attend.

In the summer months, the theatre area would be “fogged” to control the mosquitos and bugs but unfortunately upset a few skunks along the way too. This caused more than just a couple folks to end up leaving the show early and have to deal with an everlasting odor from the upset critters.

Around 4th-of-July there would be extravagant fireworks shows to celebrate the holiday as well and one of the advantages to the theatre being outside was for those folks that smoked being able to enjoy their habit without disrupting or bothering others.

Many nights when the film ended and went to white screen, some of the folks would rush in front of the picture making hand shadow puppets just for fun - Notes by Ray Qix

Contributed by Greg Lynch -