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I
don't know exactly when cruising started on "E" Street, but it
is documented that McDonalds at Fourteenth and "E" streets
was the place to cruise in the mid forties. A staff of twenty carhops
served 125 cars crowded into the lot on weekend evenings.
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When
carhop drive-ins became teenage meccas they turned off the
broader family market. So in 1948 the McDonald Brothers did a complete
overhaul of their drive-in. Carhop service was slow and their plan was for
speed.
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Their new 15 cent hamburger and the Speedy Self-Service System
replaced the carhops and within 6 months the crowds were back, but this
time the cars were filled with families.
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In
1954 the octagonal building was replaced with a new rectangular design
with golden arches. By 1955 the McDonald brothers would have 8 locations
and & 21 franchises. Cruising McDonalds in San Berdo on "E" Street was a popular run throughout Southern California. |
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Ray
Kroc visited the McDonald Brothers on "E" Street in 1954 and by
1955 had taken over the franchising of McDonalds. In 1961 he
purchased McDonalds from the Brothers with the exception of the
original at Fourteenth & "E" Streets location. (The brothers insisted on
keeping their first location & changed the name to the Big
"M"). Cruising prevailed even when Ray Kroc built another
McDonalds at Fifteenth & "E" streets. |
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The McDonald Brothers retired &
Closed the Big "M" in 1968, but cruising prevailed through the
seventies. The area has fallen on hard times, but we are working on a
revival. |
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The McDonalds hamburger stand is gone
but not forgotten. A museum now stands in it's place to honor the birthplace
of fast food. |
The
McDonalds Museum is open daily 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM. It is also home of the
California Historic Route 66 Association sponsor of the "Cruizin 'E'
St" Car Show & Cruise |
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