Vintage roadside

[V.C. Brunswick]

Angel Motel
Orange, California

 

[dh66]

Cool one V.C.

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[Zombie_61]

This is the oldest McDonald's that's still in operation:

Located in Downey, California, it was actually the third McDonald's restaurant, opened in August of 1953. It was franchised under an agreement with the McDonald brothers, and was not affected when Ray Kroc purchased the McDonald's chain in 1961. As such, the menu differed somewhat from other McDonald's locations, and their food was far better...until 1990, that is, when it was purchased by the McDonald's Corporation and was required to "modernize" and operate the same as every other location.

 

[dh66]

That looks like the one that is/was in Huntsville, AL.
Anyone watching this thread know if it's still around?

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[LizzieMaine]

This is the oldest McDonald's that's still in operation:

Located in Downey, California, it was actually the third McDonald's restaurant, opened in August of 1953. It was franchised under an agreement with the McDonald brothers, and was not affected when Ray Kroc purchased the McDonald's chain in 1961. As such, the menu differed somewhat from other McDonald's locations, and their food was far better...until 1990, that is, when it was purchased by the McDonald's Corporation and was required to "modernize" and operate the same as every other location.

Notice that the shape of the arches thru the building roof are parabolic instead of the simple arch shape of the Kroc-era buildings. That feature changed very early on -- something to do with wind stability.

Note also the weird hybrid sign featuring both Speedee and the mid-sixties double-arch/roof-slant M. The circular space containing the M logo would have originally held a "15 c" panel. McDonalds ditched the fifteen cent price in 1967, so the change would likely have been made around that time.

I ate at that McDonalds in 1983. It was rather seedy at the time, and very much in need of repairs.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

My all time favorite McDonald's has to be this one in London. It was originally built in the 1930s as a hotel.

 

[Zombie_61]

...I ate at that McDonalds in 1983. It was rather seedy at the time, and very much in need of repairs.

The building was damaged in the 1994 Northridge earthquake, and was closed for two years while McDonald's repaired and restored it (somewhat). They initially wanted to demolish it because of low sales and lack of a drive-thru and indoor seating, but the building was on the National Trust for Historic Preservation list of the "11 Most Endangered Historic Places" for 1994 so the McDonald's Corporation relented. The structure in the lower right corner of the photo is now a gift shop and museum of sorts; it's not particularly impressive as either, but at least they have rest rooms now.

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

I passed by this place this morning.

 

[Nobert]

Looks like a nice place...don't think much of the valet parking, though.

 

[Mr.Astor]

Can I put up one the best honky tonk roadside bar restaurant I have ever been too here? I hope! if you ever get to the redneck riviera the Flora-Bama lounge is like nothing you've seen. Hurricane's have transformed it over the year's but it still continue's to be the go too place for good music ( never know who will show up) the owner Joe Gilchrist has been a friend far longer than I will admit. Don't step on the chicken's they are all special!!!

 

[dh66]

V.C. That place looks like fun. I hope the groceries are half as good as the decor!

Mr. Astor I have knocked back a few cold Coors lights in the old Flora-Bama. I see you are stationed in NJ - a testament to the impact of the joint. Are you perchance a native of the Gulf Coast region? More importantly - how are your mullet tossing skills?


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[Zombie_61]

I passed by this place this morning...

Another place for the me (and maybe the wife) to check out! Thanks! :thumb:

 

[V.C. Brunswick]

V.C. That place looks like fun. I hope the groceries are half as good as the decor!

I stopped to eat there today and took a few more pics of the place. There's also a collection of vintage cars there.

 

[dh66]

Man!!.... that almost makes me want to move to California.

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[Ghostsoldier]

Recent weekend trip to southwest Gulfcoast Florida backroads....







Rob

 

[dh66]

Aaaaaaaaahhhhhh!!!

I'm lucky if I take a weekend trip to the local walmart these days.

Great pics Rob! Thanks for sharing those, and stay safe out there.

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[Ghostsoldier]

Rob

 

[Ghostsoldier]

We get away whenever the weather permits, and I'm always snapping photos...







Got more to come....

Rob

 

[dh66]

And good photos you're snapping!
A nice long weekend drive on an old route is a great stress killer for me, just to roll down the window and let the wind blow out my head, and if I see something cool on the way all the better.
I'm itching for a getaway, if only for a few hours, but we have a new daughter so I'll have to wait a little while. It's o.k. though because she's worth spending weekends home.

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[V.C. Brunswick]

I'm lucky if I take a weekend trip to the local walmart these days.