Places, Earth
Oldest Operating McDonald's

Historic Sites and Museums need your help.

Throughout the country, important historic sites, homes, buildings, and museums are in trouble. Because of the recent rise in gasoline prices and the general world-wide financial collapse, historic sites and museums are in danger of closing. Some are being forced to sell off artifacts and property. Most operate on a thin margin and will not weather these hard times without your help.

Places Earth urges everyone to support these vital and important public resources any way you can. Please find a worthy local or distant historic site or museum that is in financial danger and donate your treasure, time, and talent.

Back	Back to Los Angeles County

Oldest Operating McDonald's

On a street corner in Downey the oldest still operating McDonald's hamburger stand includes a small museum. The restaurant still has the two large "golden arches" and on the corner is the neon chef "Speedee" sign. Speedee was McDonald's first mascot.

When Roger Williams and Burdette "Bud" Landon opened this McDonalds opened on August 18, 1953, hambergers were 15 cents and fries were 12 cents. This was the third stand franchised by Richard and Maurice Mcdonald who founded the chain in 1948. In 1954, Ray Kroc, a Multimixer milkshake machine salesman, visited this stand in preperation to build his first McDonal's franchise in Des Plaines, Illinois, which opened in 1955. Ray bought out the McDonald Brothers. It was not until 1990 that this "speedee" became an actual MaDonalds.

Damage caused by the 1994 Northridge Earthquake resulted in this stand closing for three years. When if reopened on December 15, 1996, it included the adjacent museum and gift shop. A local resident assumed ownership of thios stand from the McDonald's corporation on July 1, 1998.

The gift shop is not always open, the restaurant and museum have regular hours. Try the gift shop on the weekend.

CONTENT

Los Angeles County Main Page

This page last updated: Sunday, 03-Feb-2008 22:39:52 CST

Note: This is not the official site for any of the places shown in Places Earth. Places Earth is not responsible for accuracy of the information. Hours of operations, prices, exhibits, and sometimes locations are subject to change without notice.

This web site started because of my love for Architecture and interest in History. This web site is for your benefit and I make no profit on it. A non-tax deductable donation to help cover the cost of operating this web site may be made to Kesign Design Consulting through PayPal ... Or, donations can be mailed to the address on the contact page.

This site maintained by Kenneth A. Larson.
Copyright © 2004 - 2009, Kenneth A. Larson. All Rights Reserved.
Website content including photographic and graphic images may not be redistributed for use on another website.

This site is a non-commercial alternative to my commercial design portfolio site. This site's only purpose is for your enjoyment. There is no advertising and I make no profit. If you are in the need of a designer, please check my commercial site www.kesigndesign.com.

Places, Earth Oldest Operating McDonald's

Historic Sites and Museums need your help.

Oldest Operating McDonald's

This page last updated: Sunday, 03-Feb-2008 22:39:52 CST

Places, Earth
Oldest Operating McDonald's