San Bernardino in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
World’s First McDonald’s
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 21, 2018
1. World’s First McDonald’s Marker
Dick and Mac McDonald opened the world’s first McDonald’s Self-Service, Drive-In Restaurant on this site in San Bernardino, California, December 1948.
They previously operated a successful Drive-In Barbeque Restaurant with Carhop Service on this site from 1940 to 1948.
Erected 1992 by McDonald’s Corporation.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Industry & Commerce. In addition, it is included in the U.S. Route 66 series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1948.
Location. 34° 7.534′ N, 117° 17.659′ W. Marker is in San Bernardino, California, in San Bernardino County. Marker is at the intersection of North E Street and West 14th Street, on the left when traveling north on North E Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1398 North E Street, San Bernardino CA 92405, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. First McDonalds, San Bernardino, California (here, next to this marker); Musical Railing (a few steps from this marker); Officer Big Mac (a few steps from this marker); Original McDonald's Flooring (a few steps from this marker); Route 66 (a few steps from this marker); The Grimace
this page online
Regarding World’s First McDonald’s. In the 1930’s the McDonald brothers purchased a theater in Glendora, but business was not good during the Great Depression. 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, 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 at the site of the World’s First McDonald’s.
A movie about the history of McDonald’s was released in 2016 — “The Founder”.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. - The World’s Oldest Existing McDonald’s. - And, the brothers’ movie theater.
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 21, 2018
2. World’s First McDonald’s Marker
Marker is in the center, below what’s left of the original sign.
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 21, 2018
3. Sign, to the right of Marker
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 21, 2018
4. Nearby Sign
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 21, 2018
5. Nearby Sign
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 21, 2018
6. Nearby Sign
July 21, 2018
7. World’s First McDonald’s
Photo on display in the museum.
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 21, 2018
8. The same view today
Photographed By Craig Baker, July 21, 2018
9. Inside the Museum
Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2022. It was originally submitted on July 22, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 776 times since then and 119 times this year. Last updated on July 23, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 22, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7, 8, 9. submitted on July 23, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
