The World’s Oldest McDonald’s

, 7 Comments on The World’s Oldest McDonald’s

Right here in Southern California, in the LA suburb of Downey (a place my father lived during part of his childhood), is the world’s oldest operating McDonald’s. It’s a unique claim to fame, and one some may pay no attention to, but, like it or not, fast food is an invention of America, and thus, part of America’s history. Over the weekend this McDonald’s turned 65, and they hosted a little party celebrating its history. Speaking on its significance included Ambassador of Americana himself, Charles Phoenix, Googie architecture author Alan Hess, and members of the Downey Conservancy.

Opening in 1953, this McDonald’s was the third ever built, and the second to feature the iconic “Golden Arches” that were the product of a combined effort of Richard and Maurice McDonald and architect Stanley Clark Meston.

Besides its spectacular neon sign featuring Speedee, the first mascot of McDonald’s (long before Ronald McDonald) and insane architecture, this McDonald’s also features a little museum.

The building - two tall golden arches flank a slanted flat roof, and red and white tile wrap around the bottom. Walls of glass allow guests to walk up to the window and place their orders. The Speedee sign to the left.

Me, standing outside McDonald's with it's red and white tile and yellow golden arch, wearing a yellow bandana print top, red shorts, white shoes and white purse.

Close up of the "Hamburgers" portion and Speedee.

Me, standing outside McDonald's with it's red and white tile and yellow golden arch, wearing a yellow bandana print top, red shorts, white shoes and white purse.

Me, standing outside McDonald's with it's red and white tile and yellow golden arch, wearing a yellow bandana print top, red shorts, white shoes and white purse.

Portion of the Speedee sign, "Your Kind of Place. Hamburgers. We have sold 500 million"

The doors to the museum, dark wood with carvings of the Golden Arches logo.

The Mac Tonight costume, featuring a crescent moon mask.

Inside the museum, featuring display cases of vintage McDonald's items.

A part of the building, reading "McDonald's" and the tall Speedee sign in the background.

Vintage receipt for McDonald's.

One of the milkshake mixers that Ray Krock sold that got him interested in McDonald's.

Old menu featuring red stripe with white stars on blue shields reading "We use government inspected beef exclusively"

The building - two tall golden arches flank a slanted flat roof, and red and white tile wrap around the bottom. Walls of glass allow guests to walk up to the window and place their orders.

Me, standing outside McDonald's with it's red and white tile and yellow golden arch, wearing a yellow bandana print top, red shorts, white shoes and white purse.

Me, standing outside McDonald's with it's red and white tile and yellow golden arch, wearing a yellow bandana print top, red shorts, white shoes and white purse.

Close-up of Speedee, the Hamburger headed chef pointing to the building.

A classic burger and fries

The tall Speedee sign, a single golden arch stretches toward the sky, with a portion jutting out near the top reading "Hamburgers" Speedee, the hamburger faced chef points below. On the lower portion a red, blue, and white sign reads "McDonald's Your Kind of Place" and "Hamburgers We have sold 500 million"

Me, standing outside McDonald's with it's red and white tile and yellow golden arch, wearing a yellow bandana print top, red shorts, white shoes and white purse.

Close-up of my brooch, a couple sitting on a bench, the brooch is lenticular and the couple goes from sitting to kissing.

Me, standing outside McDonald's with it's red and white tile and yellow golden arch, wearing a yellow bandana print top, red shorts, white shoes and white purse.

Close-up of the neon "500" portion of the "we have sold over 500 million"

Yellow "Golden Arch" stretches over the slanted roof of the restaurant.

Billboard for the McDonald's, featuring Speedee and the text "Don't let history pass you buy."

Me, standing outside McDonald's with it's red and white tile and yellow golden arch, wearing a yellow bandana print top, red shorts, white shoes and white purse.

The building - two tall golden arches flank a slanted flat roof, and red and white tile wrap around the bottom. Walls of glass allow guests to walk up to the window and place their orders.

Me, standing in front of the large "Speedee" sign, a tall golden arch, with "Hamburgers" across and Speedee, a little hamburger chef running across the top.

Visit world’s oldest operating McDonald’s and grab a fried apple pie at 10207 Lakewood Blvd., at the corner of Lakewood and Florence in Downey.

What’s Nearby?

Bob’s Big Boy

Outfit
Top: Brick The Basement Antique Mall, Fullerton, California
Shorts, Earrings, Bangles, & Scarf: ???
Brooch: Thrifted
Shoes: Re-Mix
Purse: Lux de Ville 

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7 comments on “The World’s Oldest McDonald’s”

  1. Wow! Fantastic. I remember getting out of class at Citrus Jr College for lunch and driving to McDonald’s in Azusa for 15 cent hamburgers! I still today love the architecture and I’m saddened at the new McDonald’s renovations. Sterile and frankly ugly. No personality no style. Another chapter in history closes. Thanks for sharing. Your outfit makes the whole scene explode gleefully!

    Reply

    • I completely agree! I noticed so many of the fast food chains look the same now! All boxy! There is no unique architecture anymore!

      Reply

  3. Loved how you dressed in red, yellow & white! Your pics are great and make me feel like I am right there with you. 🙂 That wooden door is awesome too.

    Reply