44 Outdoor Theatre
1790 W. South Park Avenue,
Oshkosh,
WI
54902
1790 W. South Park Avenue,
Oshkosh,
WI
54902
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The 44 Outdoor Theatre opened its gates on July 15, 1949 with Larry Parks in “The Swordsman” along with a cartoon and a newsreel.
Later that October 10, a portion of a fence that surrounds the theater (that was constructed by the Valley Construction Company of Neenah) was blown by heavy winds during severe weather. It was operated by S&M Theatres Incorporated.
A quick check of Google Maps shows that the drive-in was on Wisconsin state highway 44.
From the March 17, 1956 Motion Picture Herald: “Louis Petry and Robt. Perry have leased the Mitchell drive-in, Mitchell, Neb., and the Oskosh (sic) drive-in, Oskosh, Neb., from Merle Nygren.”
Why the name 44?
Originally it was a 650 car drive-in theatre. In 1953 it was bought by Marcus Corporation. Their improvements included a tower and concession building. They may have had those before, but they built new ones.
And in a twist of fate, the two major businesses that built on the site are no longer. The Walmart spoken of in the description has been torn down. The JCPenney that came later now sits closed and abandoned. Except for a lonely shoe store, one could build a drive-in theatre here once again!
The above address is incorrect.
Address should be 1790 W South Park Ave.
The other address is where the drive-in stood when in operation. South Koeller ended just north at W 20 Ave.
The Google map is wrong. The theater was on Southpark.
Any comments or questions regarding any drive-in theater in Wisconsin, please check out my website at
www.drive-inthruwisconsin.com Or contact me at I will give you complete and accurate information about Wisconsin drive-in theaters, just ask. Thanks, Charles Bruss
Here are some ads from drive-inthruwisconsin.com:
http://tinyurl.com/st744