South Arroyo in Pasadena in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Invention of the Cheeseburger

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 10, 2019

1. Invention of the Cheeseburger Marker

Inscription. On this site in 1924, sixteen year-old Lionel Sternberger first put cheese on a hamburger and served it to a customer, thereby inventing the cheeseburger. The 'Aristocratic Burger' at the Rite Spot is the first instance of a hamburger with cheese being served to a customer.

Erected 2017 by L.A. Financial Credit Union; Pasadena Chamber of Commerce.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1924.

Location. 34° 8.449′ N, 118° 10.848′ W. Marker is in Pasadena, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in South Arroyo. It is on West Colorado Boulevard 0.4 miles east of Figueroa Street, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1500 W Colorado Blvd, Pasadena CA 91105, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Eagle Rock (approx. ¼ mile away); La Loma Bridge (approx. 0.9 miles away); Colorado Street Bridge (approx. one mile away); Vista del Arroyo Hotel (approx. 1.1 miles away); San Rafael Ranch Dinner Bell (approx. 1.1 miles away); Pasadena Founders Monument (approx. 1.2 miles away); Pasadena Pioneers Bridge

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(approx. 1.2 miles away); Lt. Orrin Russell Fox Heliport (approx. 1.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pasadena.

More about this marker. The marker is at the base of the flagpole at Firefighters First Credit Union. This was the location of the Rite Spot, the roadside stand owned by Lionel Sternberger’s father.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. - Other locations also claim to have invented the cheeseburger.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 10, 2019

2. Invention of the Cheeseburger Marker

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 10, 2019

3. Invention of the Cheeseburger Marker

Historic Route 66 circa 1934 to 1941 image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, March 10, 2019

4. Historic Route 66 circa 1934 to 1941

Street sign at Colorado Blvd and Figueroa St.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 20, 2026. It was originally submitted on March 10, 2019. This page has been viewed 1,097 times since then and 109 times this year. Last updated on September 18, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 10, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.