Glendora in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mission Theater Building

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

1. Mission Theater Building Marker

Inscription. One of Glendora's most distinguished landmarks was the Mission Building. This Foothill Boulevard façade featured a covered walkway shared by several storefronts. A popular malt shop was located on the corner and a theater occupied most of the building space. In the 1930's, Richard and Maurice McDonald, of McDonald's Restaurant fame, operated the theater.

Erected by Glendora Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Entertainment • Industry & Commerce • Settlements & Settlers.

Location. 34° 8.17′ N, 117° 51.921′ W. Marker is in Glendora, California, in Los Angeles County. It is at the intersection of Glendora Avenue and Foothill Boulevard, on the right when traveling north on Glendora Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 102 N Glendora Ave, Glendora CA 91741, 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,

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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 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Pacific Electric Station (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); Glendora City Hall (approx. ¼ mile away); Glendora Bougainvillea (approx. 0.3 miles away); Big Tree (approx. 0.6 miles away); Rain Bird Impact Drive Sprinkler Head (approx. one mile away); Rubel Castle (approx. 1.1 miles away); Fairmount Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 1.4 miles away); Site of Azusa’s First Volunteer Fire Station (approx. 2.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Glendora.

Regarding Mission Theater Building. When the McDonald brothers purchased the theater, it was during the Great Depression, and business was not good. The only local business that did well was an orange juice and food stand on Route 66. In 1937, they sold the theater and opened an orange juice stand in Arcadia, and soon opened a hot dog, hamburger,

Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017

2. Mission Theater Building Marker

The theater was demolished in 1968.

and orange juice stand in Monrovia on Route 66. The Monrovia stand was successful and the brothers saw the advantage of appealing to people in the increasing number of motor vehicles. In 1940 they moved to San Bernardino, a hub of transportation, where they reopened and named their stand McDonald’s. Today there is a museum and historical marker at the site of the World’s First McDonald’s.

Credits. This page was last revised on January 30, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 31, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 3,327 times since then and 134 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 31, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.