One of my earliest memories as a child was looking up into the night sky and seeing a pair of towering golden arches reaching up into the sky. What a sight it was - only - wait a second - MOM!! Why are they knocking down our McDonald's????
It was much later in life that I understood what had happened. In my hometown of Southington, CT, there once stood one of the original drive-up style Micky-Dee's, with illuminated arches on the sides of the building. Not long after I entered the world, the McDonalds coorporation began constructing sit-inside-and-eat restaurants in place of the old 50's style drive-ups. But I did get to see one with my own eyes, and after many, many hours of researching online, I have found information about the only three drive-ups left in existence. They are pictured below with a description of each. For more information, click on the pictures to see the websites dedicated to these fine treasures from recent history. Check out also the Henry Ford Museum, the keeper of the massive neon sign shown above.
Please note that I do not take any credits for these photos. They each originated from the sites to which they are linked.
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Downey, CA. -- This is supposed to be the oldest surviving McDonald's structure, built in 1953. This one still serves the original menu as it did "back then", and also has a museum and gift shop added on. |
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San Hose, CA. This one was recently renovated in 1990. A newer restaurant was added on behind the old one; the original now serves as a dining area and museum. |
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Des Plaines, IL. -- This one was built in 1955 by Ray Kroc, the guy who made franchise restaurants what it is today. Today, this building is a McDonald's museum. |
For more information about McDonald's, visit their home page.