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Capri Drive-In Theater
Long-term stewardship of the Capri Drive-In Theater, Coldwater
Americans were obsessed with car culture in the 1950s and 60s, and drive-in movie theaters boomed. In 1964, John and Mary Magocs opened the Capri Drive-In on the west side of Coldwater along highway US-12. The property included a single screen, folded plate roof ticket building, a concessions stand, a neon sign on the highway, and room for 800 cars. Operating the Capri was a family affair and the Magocs, along with their sons John Jr. and Tom, spent many nights together running the theater.
Although the golden era of the drive-in did not last, the Magocs family invested in the Capri over the decades, making early transitions from speaker boxes to AM radio to FM stereo sound, and investing in digital projection equipment in recent decades. In 1980, the family twinned the theater when they moved and installed a second screen tower from a former drive-in near Detroit.
Three generations of the Magocs family have led the Capri since its inception, nurturing the nostalgic vibe of what has become a regional destination. The Capri bills itself as a community theater and supports many activities in Coldwater, but each night the audience comes from miles around to enjoy the special experience. The Capri Drive-In was listed in the National Register of Historic Places in 2024 for its significance in the area’s entertainment and recreational history. Fewer than a dozen drive-in theaters survive in Michigan today, and the Capri stands out for its long-term family ownership and investment.
The Governor’s Awards for Historic Preservation recognize standout projects across both peninsulas, exemplifying the collaboration and deep impact preservation can have in Michigan communities. Congratulations to: The Magocs Family.
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