The oldest remaining McDonald’s sits in Downey, California, outside of Los Angeles.
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As a fast food reporter and enthusiast, I had to stop by on a recent trip to the West coast.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Despite the familiar name, it’s almost unrecognizable as part of the chain today.
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This location opened in 1953, and was the fourth McDonald’s ever built.
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Source: LA Conservancy
From the street, the building is missing most typical McDonald’s symbols.
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There are golden arches, but they look quite different from what I’m used to seeing, with one on each side.
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The restaurant is really closer to a burger stand, where customers can walk up and order at the window.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I ordered from the walk up window and waited for my food.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
A sign was posted next to the countering detailing the site’s history.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Some tables and chairs were outside the building, but I opted to get out of the sun.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I took my food to the small covered seating in the building next to the main counter, which was set up like a museum.
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The museum area was surrounded by windows all around and open to the outside.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
White tables and floating red seats felt like vintage fast food, and seemed fitting,
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The center of the building was full of McDonald’s memorabilia, with more counter seating,.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
I sat down to eat my Egg McMuffin surrounded by fast food history.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Others were definitely there to take in the history, too. I wasn’t the only one taking photos.
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There were several framed photos of this location from the 1950s and 1960s.
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Photos, drawings, and pieces of McDonald’s history told the story of the chain from its 1948 founding to a multi-billion dollar business today.
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Pins of logos, menu items, and mascots were also used in decor.
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The very center of the display was occupied by mannequins wearing vintage McDonald’s uniforms.
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The paper hats and visors were especially retro feeling.
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The old ads were interesting to show how the chain has changed, but also how much of the menu has stayed the same.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
From the main area, I entered another room of McDonald’s history through what looked like bank vault doors.
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Inside, I was greeted by a towering Ronald McDonald statue.
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The Ronald McDonald clock was one of my favorites.
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The black and white photos of the original Ronald McDonald looked completely different from the original mascot.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
There was also a Mac Tonight mannequin.
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The mascot with the moon head started in Southern California markets, and became part of national advertising in the 1990s.
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Photos and newspaper clippings showed the evolution of Ronald McDonald’s as a character and icon, and the introduction of other characters like the Hamburglar.
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Merchandise with Ronald McDonald, Mayor McCheese, and other members of the McDonald’s universe started appearing on more merchandise, displayed in the museum.
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Plastic cups and glasses, which have become collectors items, were also on display.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
Walking through the museum, I felt like I could see the beginnings of McDonald’s as a cultural icon, with recognizable characters not directly connected to food.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
The 1994 McDonald’s USA World Cup flag felt like a defining moment in that sense, cementing that McDonald’s and the US are inextricably tied.
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An old menu board showed just nine items for sale, and hamburgers only cost 15 cents.
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Information about original CEO Ray Kroc and early franchisees was posted over all the walls.
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The museum gives plenty of credit to franchisees, like Egg McMuffin creator and southern California franchisee Herb Peterson.
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Source: NPR
The milkshake machine has a special place on display, because Ray Kroc initially met the McDonald’s founder during his work as a traveling milkshake salesman.
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Source: Inc
Back outside, the restaurant has a drive-thru.
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McDonald’s didn’t open its first drive-thru until 1975, so this is a later addition.
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Source: AZ Central
Though not part of the original design, more than 70% of McDonald’s sales now happen through the drive-thru.
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Source: Insider
Mobile order pickup spots are clearly a much more recent addition.
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The massive sign features Speedee, the original company logo that predates the golden arches.
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Speedee was a chef intended to advertised McDonald’s fast and efficient service, but he was phased out in the 1960s.
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Source: Mashed
More modern landscaping does feature the golden arches.
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The Downey McDonald’s was like a crash course in McDonald’s history.
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When the location first opened, it was an early franchise owned by Roger Williams and Burdette Landon.
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The chain is almost unrecognizable 68 years later, with more than 38,000 locations and over $57 billion in sales in the most recent quarter.
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It’s a must visit for anyone who cares about fast food history.
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Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at [email protected].
