Des Plaines in Cook County, Illinois — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
First McDonald's Franchise
In memory of his wisdom and spirt, McDonald's Corporation dedicates this site to Ray A. Kroc, leader and friend, April 15, 1985.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. A significant historical date for this entry is April 15, 1955.
Location. 42° 2.759′ N, 87° 53.157′ W. Marker is in Des Plaines, Illinois, in Cook County. Marker is on Lee Street, on the right when traveling south. The site, now demolished, is across the street from a modern McDonald’s with historical displays inside. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 400 Lee Street, Des Plaines IL 60016, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. American Airlines Flight 191 Memorial (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Grove (approx. 2.8 miles away); Kennicott House (approx. 2.8 miles away); World War II Memorial (approx. 4.2 miles away); Memorial Walkway (approx. 4½ miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 4½ miles away); Edison Park World War I Memorial (approx. 4.6 miles away); Harrer Park (approx. 5.3 miles away).
More about this marker. The original 1955 building was demolished in 1984 when a new McDonald’s opened across the street. A replica was later built as a museum. It was demolished in 2018 due to low visitation and repeated flooding of the site. McDonald's donated the land at 400 Lee Street to the city for a park. The modern McDonald's across the street at 444 S River Road has historical displays inside. It was remodeled in 2023.
Also see . . . McDonalds’s #1 Store Museum on Wikipedia. (Submitted on March 27, 2024, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on April 23, 2024. It was originally submitted on October 26, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. This page has been viewed 673 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on October 26, 2014, by Bill Kirchner of Tucson, Arizona. 7. submitted on March 11, 2023, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.
Editor’s want-list for this marker. Photo of the marker - relocated to the newer McDonald’s across the street, if it is there. Photos of today’s restaurant. • Can you help?