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email: agilitynut@hotmail.com |
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| McDonald's Buildings (page 1) |
(hit "refresh" to get the most recent version of this page; click on photos for larger images)
| The brothers Maurice and Richard McDonald opened their first restaurant in 1940 in San Bernardino, CA, featuring BBQ and car hops. In 1948, they made the switch to hamburgers and the self-serve Speedee System (walk-up window service). The brothers began franchising and then sold their company to Ray Kroc in 1954. Today, there are over 25,000 McDonald's locations worldwide. For more about McDonald's history, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. |
| McDonald's Downey, CA | ||
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In 1953, the McDonald brothers opened this McDonald's, their fourth location. It is the oldest, still-operating example of the chain. The glass-fronted building features the classic Golden Arches design with red and white striped tile. It also features the original 60 foot tall Speedee the Chef neon sign. This was the only sign built of this design.
This location was not affiliated with the McDonald's Corporation until 1990. After severe damage from the Northridge earthquate, the building was nearly demolished in 1994. However, with public support and publicity generated by the Los Angeles Conservancy Modern Committee, this McDonald's reopened in 1996. The building was left intact with its walkup windows and outdoor seating. A separate building houses a museum, gift shop, and restrooms. For more on this location, see these websites: 1, 2, 3, and 4. |
| McDonald's #1 Des Plaines, IL |
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In 1955, after the Ray Kroc buy-out, this store was built as McDonald's #1. Kroc based this building's design on the one in Downey, CA. The building was remodeled several times and demolished in 1984. It was recreated from original blueprints. However, the Speedee sign is original. The building no longer serves food but there is a new McDonald's across the street. Instead, the location is used as the official McDonald's Corporation Museum.
Male mannequins wear the 1955 uniform (dark pants, white shirts, aprons and paper hats). The customer service and food preparation areas have original equipment that were used back when fresh potatoes were used for the fries, milkshakes were made with Multi-mixers, and the Coke and root beer were drawn from a barrel. The basement has old photos, advertising, memorabilia, and a video presentation. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| McDonald's San Jose, CA |
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| This still-operating McDonald's retains much of its original look and has a "skinny M" sign. It was built around 1960. This illustration from 1967 shows the same style building with concave roofline and double arches. A new structure was added to the back of this building. There is now additional seating where the original counter was. The interior features vintage photo reproductions such as the one shown here of an unidentified location. For more, see this website. |
| McDonald's Portland, OR |
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| This McDonald's building is not in use but can be rented out for kids' parties. There is a modern McDonald's directly behind it. |
| former McDonald's Pomona, CA |
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| This former McDonald's was built in 1954 as the seventh location in the chain. The building now houses AMA Donuts. The Golden Arches have been removed and the sign significantly altered. |
| former McDonald's Los Angeles, CA |
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| This former McDonald's now houses Tacos El Gavilan. I believe this location was built in 1956. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2. |
| former McDonald's Compton, CA |
former McDonald's Dallas, TX |
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This former McDonald's in Compton is still recognizable as an early location despite its makeover for Image Management Systems.
This former McDonald's in Dallas was supposedly the first location built in TX. The Golden Arches are gone but the building is still there. This is also believed to be the first location built outside CA and some say the third of the entire chain. The building was used as part of a used car lot for years and is now home to Record's Barbecue. |
| former McDonald's Marshall, TX |
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| This building which now houses Mr. Donuts & Kolaches appears to be a former McDonald's. The building still features lower portions of the Golden Arches. However, according to a news clipping, the first McDonald's in Marshall, since rebuilt, opened in 1972. I'm not sure if this building style was still being used at that time. |
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McDonald's Buildings (page 2) |
McDonald's Signs | Main Eateries Page |
| RoadsideArchitecture.com |