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  4. I visited the oldest McDonald's still standing and found a crash course in creating a cultural icon — see inside the iconic restaurant

I visited the oldest McDonald's still standing and found a crash course in creating a cultural icon see inside the iconic restaurant

Mary Meisenzahl   

I visited the oldest McDonald's still standing and found a crash course in creating a cultural icon — see inside the iconic restaurant
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider
  • I visited the oldest existing McDonald's in Downey, California.
  • The location has many original details from when it was built in 1954.

The oldest remaining McDonald's sits in Downey, California, outside of Los Angeles.

The oldest remaining McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

As a fast food reporter and enthusiast, I had to stop by on a recent trip to the West coast.

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.

Despite the familiar name, it
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

This location opened in 1953, and was the fourth McDonald's ever built.

This location opened in 1953, and was the fourth McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

From the street, the building is missing most typical McDonald's symbols.

From the street, the building is missing most typical McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There are golden arches, but they look quite different from what I'm used to seeing, with one on each side.

There are golden arches, but they look quite different from what I
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The restaurant is really closer to a burger stand, where customers can walk up and order at the window.

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.

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.

A sign was posted next to the countering detailing the site
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Some tables and chairs were outside the building, but I opted to get out of the sun.

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.

I took my food to the small covered seating in the building next to the main counter, which was set up like a museum.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The museum area was surrounded by windows all around and open to the outside.

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,

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,.

The center of the building was full of McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

I sat down to eat my Egg McMuffin surrounded by fast food history.

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.

Others were definitely there to take in the history, too. I wasn
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

There were several framed photos of this location from the 1950s and 1960s.

There were several framed photos of this location from the 1950s and 1960s.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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.

Photos, drawings, and pieces of McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Pins of logos, menu items, and mascots were also used in decor.

Pins of logos, menu items, and mascots were also used in decor.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The very center of the display was occupied by mannequins wearing vintage McDonald's uniforms.

The very center of the display was occupied by mannequins wearing vintage McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The paper hats and visors were especially retro feeling.

The paper hats and visors were especially retro feeling.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The old ads were interesting to show how the chain has changed, but also how much of the menu has stayed the same.

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.

From the main area, I entered another room of McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Inside, I was greeted by a towering Ronald McDonald statue.

Inside, I was greeted by a towering Ronald McDonald statue.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The Ronald McDonald clock was one of my favorites.

The Ronald McDonald clock was one of my favorites.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The black and white photos of the original Ronald McDonald looked completely different from the original mascot.

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.

There was also a Mac Tonight mannequin.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The mascot with the moon head started in Southern California markets, and became part of national advertising in the 1990s.

The mascot with the moon head started in Southern California markets, and became part of national advertising in the 1990s.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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.

Photos and newspaper clippings showed the evolution of Ronald McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Merchandise with Ronald McDonald, Mayor McCheese, and other members of the McDonald's universe started appearing on more merchandise, displayed in the museum.

Merchandise with Ronald McDonald, Mayor McCheese, and other members of the McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Plastic cups and glasses, which have become collectors items, were also on display.

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.

Walking through the museum, I felt like I could see the beginnings of McDonald
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.

The 1994 McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

An old menu board showed just nine items for sale, and hamburgers only cost 15 cents.

An old menu board showed just nine items for sale, and hamburgers only cost 15 cents.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Information about original CEO Ray Kroc and early franchisees was posted over all the walls.

Information about original CEO Ray Kroc and early franchisees was posted over all the walls.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The museum gives plenty of credit to franchisees, like Egg McMuffin creator and southern California franchisee Herb Peterson.

The museum gives plenty of credit to franchisees, like Egg McMuffin creator and southern California franchisee Herb Peterson.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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.

The milkshake machine has a special place on display, because Ray Kroc initially met the McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Inc

Back outside, the restaurant has a drive-thru.

Back outside, the restaurant has a drive-thru.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

McDonald's didn't open its first drive-thru until 1975, so this is a later addition.

McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: AZ Central

Though not part of the original design, more than 70% of McDonald's sales now happen through the drive-thru.

Though not part of the original design, more than 70% of McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Insider

Mobile order pickup spots are clearly a much more recent addition.

Mobile order pickup spots are clearly a much more recent addition.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The massive sign features Speedee, the original company logo that predates the golden arches.

The massive sign features Speedee, the original company logo that predates the golden arches.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Speedee was a chef intended to advertised McDonald's fast and efficient service, but he was phased out in the 1960s.

Speedee was a chef intended to advertised McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Source: Mashed

More modern landscaping does feature the golden arches.

More modern landscaping does feature the golden arches.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

The Downey McDonald's was like a crash course in McDonald's history.

The Downey McDonald
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

When the location first opened, it was an early franchise owned by Roger Williams and Burdette Landon.

When the location first opened, it was an early franchise owned by Roger Williams and Burdette Landon.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

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.

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.
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

It's a must visit for anyone who cares about fast food history.

It
Mary Meisenzahl/Insider

Do you have a story to share about a retail or restaurant chain? Email this reporter at mmeisenzahl@businessinsider.com.

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