10207 Lakewood Blvd, Downey, CA 90240
Hours:
- Sunday-Thursday (6 AM-10 PM) Friday-Saturday (6 AM-11 PM)
Overview and History
While many locals to the city of Downey or the surrounding cities, may recognize this McDonald’s as the oldest operating McDonald’s in the world, many others, like myself, often pass by with no idea of the historical significance of this McDonald’s in what has grown to be the most iconic fast food chain, possibly in the history of the world.
This specific location was opened in 1953 and became the third restaurant franchised by Dick and Mac McDonald, who founded the chain in 1948. In1954, Ray Kroc visited this historic location as he eyed the construction of his first McDonald’s in Des Plaines, Illinois. Before this location in Illinois, which Ray would open in 1955, there had never been a McDonald’s outside of the borders of California. The McDonald’s brothers were eventually bought out by Ray Kroc for 2.7 million dollars and Ray would turn this iconic franchise into the unfathomable behemoth that everyone knows it as today.
This specific McDonald’s franchise in Downey, California, was never truly part of the McDonald’s Corporation until 1990. The original mascot, “Speedee”, and his logo, were replaced with the golden arches in 1961. Two years later, in 1963 a new mascot would emerge in Ronald McDonald. In 1994, the Downey location was closed due to damage sustained from the massive Northridge Earthquake, which caused so much destruction throughout the state of California. This location reopened in December of 1996, with the fantastic current look that it still sports, now including both a museum and gift shop.
Scout’s Story
For the past year, our daughter, Scout, has been battling stage 4 (germ cell neoplasm) cancer. Three weeks ago Scout finally underwent tumor resection surgery to remove her cancerous tumors from her liver and pelvic region. After two weeks of living at the hospital and recovering, Scout was finally released last week and made it home in time to celebrate her third birthday.
As Scout was recovering in the hospital, she was limited to two visitors in her room at a time. I would take turns switching off and allowing my Mother-In-Law to come in and sit with my wife and Scout. Needing a bit of a mental health break and just realizing I needed to get out of the hospital for an hour or so, I asked my Father-In-Law if he wanted to go somewhere with me. He said sure, but neither of us had any idea of anything to do in the nearby area of Fontana. Where we ended up next was a bit of a surprise to both of us.
Visiting the McDonald’s Museum in San Bernardino
After googling things to do nearby, I came upon the McDonald’s Museum in San Bernardino. This is where the original McDonald’s used to sit. It’s now home to an incredible museum with a mind blowing amount of McDonald’s paraphernalia. This place is sure to conjure up a ton of nostalgia for those who visit. My Father-In-Law and I had a great time and this was a much needed break for me to clear my head. Even if it was only for a short period. While were were at the museum, I learned about another McDonald’s that resided in Downey, California. This McDonald’s was apparently the oldest operating McDonald’s in the United States. I realized that it was less than 15 minutes from where we lived and I told myself that when Scout was healed up that I was going to take her here for a Happy Meal.
Scout’s Day at the Oldest Operating McDonald’s in the U.S.
Nearly three weeks after Scout’s surgery and a week after her second birthday, we had arrived back home and Scout was quickly healing up. Looking to get out of the house for a short time, we decided to make the short drive to the McDonald’s in Downey. Never did I imagine that a trip to McDonald’s would get me so excited. It was great to have Scout home and to just be out doing normal things as a family again.
Upon arriving at the McDonald’s in Downey, I was a bit surprised to find out that it was an old school walk up and order restaurant.
It was super cool and we ordered our food before heading to the just as neat sheltered, outdoor seating area. The seating area here is super fun. It offers an old drive-in diner vibe with a tiny museum inside of it. There’s a reasonable amount of McDonald’s memorabilia and some plaques telling the history of the coorporation in this area.
Scout enjoyed eating her happy meal while her mom and I thoroughly enjoyed this casual afternoon out with her doing something new.
Often times we forget how important the little things in life are. Somehow, Scout always seems to ground us and be able to remind us of that. We had a great time checking out this old school McDonald’s and this place is absolutely worth the stop for those that happen to be in the area.
May 15, 2023
