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| 1920 - The
McDonald brothers, Richard and Maurice, move to California from New Hampshire. |
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| 1937 - The
McDonald brothers open their first restaurant (the Airdrome) in Arcadia, California
selling hot dogs, orange juice, coffee and tea. They move the Airdrome building to
San Bernardino, California at 14th & E. St. |
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| On May 15th, 1940 - Grand
Opening of McDonald's Barbeque restaurant that includes a staff of 20 carhops, 25 item
menu that includes Barbeque ribs and beef and pork sandwiches. Their restaurant becomes
the # 1 teen hangout in the San Bernardino area. |
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1940 - The
Airdrome
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| 1948 - The
brothers became very successful but bored with the headaches of running a big operation
relying on car hops, extensive menus, and excess of teenage crowds. They realized
the future of restaurants lay in the ability to attract the booming young family market.
Dick McDonald studied his menu and discovered that 80% of his sales were generated
by hamburgers! They realized that the future also relied on speed of service and
mass production. |
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| In October,
1948, the McDonald brothers closed their Barbeque
restaurants to change concepts emphasizing speed, lower prices and volume. |
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| On December 12,
1948, they opened the original McDonalds restaurant
featuring their "SPEEDEE SERVICE SYSTEM" selling 15 cent hamburgers and 10 cent
fries. |
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| In 1953, the original building in San
Bernardino was replaced with a rectangle building with double golden arches. |
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| In 1954, Ray Kroc visits the McDonalds in San
Bernardino, California and convinced the brothers to let him franchise McDonald's. |
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| In 1961, Ray buys out the McDonald brothers for 2.7 million in
cash. The sale did not include the original San Bernardino McDonald's location.
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In 1962, the original San Bernardino McDonald's changes name to
"Big M".
Ray Kroc opens new McDonald's at 15th & E St. |
the sign of the Big M reads.
"We have been here 22 years."
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Ray Kroc opens new
McDonald's at 15th & E St.
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| In 1968, the McDonald brothers sell property to Neal Baker of
BAKERS TACO. |
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| In 1970, Bakers closes the "Big M". |
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| In 1972, The "Big M" is demolished.
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| In 1974, the current building is constructed and is used as a
music store.
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In 1992, the San Bernardino Civic Light Opera
(a non-profit organization) purchases property and upgrades building and
landscape. McDonald's Corporation approved the San Bernardino site as the Worlds
First McDonald's self-service drive-in restaurant. A brass plaque is dedicated and
set in concrete. Celebration was held with the return of Richard McDonald appearing
at the dedication. |
Ronald McDonald unveils
plaque
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Dick McDonald &
Ray Quiel
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Maurice
and Richard McDonald
Maurice and Richard McDonald were founders of the world-wide
chain. Starting in San Bernardino at 14th & E Streets in 1948. In 1961 the McDonald
brothers sold their restaurant chain to Chicago Executive Ray Kroc for 2.7 million. |
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On September 18, 1996, "McDonald's" is inducted into the San
Bernardino Route 66 Cruisin Hall of Fame. |
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| In 1997, the San Bernardino Civic Light Opera files bankruptcy
and property is foreclosed. Property has fallen into disrepair. |
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On August 5, 1998, Original McDonald's property is purchased by Albert
Okura - Founder of Juan Pollo Restaurants after he reads foreclosure in newspaper. |
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| On December 12, 1998, the Mayor, Judith Valles, dedicates the museum opening
by celebrating the 50th year anniversary of the opening of the first McDonald's restaurant
in 1948. |
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Proclamation
WHEREAS, the McDonald brothers founded their hamburger drive-in on the corner of 14th and
"e" Streets in San Bernardino on December 12 1948; and
WHEREAS, San Bernardino was indeed the birthplace of the fast food industry for nation;
and
WHEREAS, Albert Okura, owner of the Juan Pollo restaurant chain is the current property
owner of the original McDonald's site and is improving the property to share memorabilia
related to the above historic events; and
WHEREAS, the City of San Bernardino and Mr. Okura desire to commemorate The 50th
Anniversary of the McDonald's original location with an open house.
NOW,
THEREFORE, I, JUDITH VALLES, MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO DO HEREBY PROCLAIM
DECEMBER 12, 1998 AS THE
ORIGINAL
McDONALD'S LOCATION
50TH ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION DAY
and
rededicate that location for the citizens of San Bernardino with a City historic sign.
DATED
this 7th day of December, 1998. |
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Site History
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