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Architect Stanley Meston had worked for Wayne McAllister, a noted restauranteur and a restaurant architect working on drive-ins during the 1930s; in 1948, he developed two prototype designs for Richard and Maurice McDonald, owners of the first McDonald hamburger stand in San Bernadino, CA; this restaurant in Downey, the fourth in the chain's development, was based on those designs; this first-generation McDonald's, with its sloping roof, golden neon arches, and striped exterior walls, is the oldest still in original condition (out of 25,000 worldwide); it opened 08/18/1953;

The restaurant was damaged in 1994 by the Northridge Earthquake; local preservationists, led by the Modern Committee of the Los Angeles Conservancy, raised public awareness of an impending demolition, and funds were raised to rebuild the structure and re-open it in 1996;

PCAD id: 5651