McDonald’s Unofficial Museum Route 66 San Bernardino CA

The one McDonald’s Ray Kroc didn’t want you to patron

While traveling, there is nothing quite like spotting the golden arches in the distance. That is one thing about RV travel; you know you are back in civilization when you see the arches. You have arrived in a town with services!

As I was looking through my Route 66 passport, I noticed the Hamburger police character, but there was no mention of the museum as a place to visit. While we were camping in Palm Desert and I was looking for our next destination, the museum popped up as a place to visit on my Google Maps. Have you been to this Unofficial McDonald’s Museum? Let me know in the comments. How was your visit? Did you stare at the items in the glass cases as I did and say, “I had that” and “I remember that”? It was a fun visit to add to my RV adventures.

It is part of Route 66. The current owner, Albert Okura, purchased the property, and it is free to visit, open seven days a week, and is run solely on donations. If you love the golden arches, visit and take a walk down memory lane.

I spent every Saturday night at my best friend Bonnie’s house during my childhood summers. Those were the days when families always had spare kids. I was the spare kid at Bonnie’s. Every Saturday night, her parents went out, which meant no cooking for her mom. The kids got McDonald’s. It was a special treat, and I couldn’t wait for the weekend.

Fast food is the norm today. However, some kids have never had fast food, let alone a hamburger made from meat, not plants.

**DISCLAIMER** I checked the McDonald’s Corporate website and read the story on the franchise’s history, but it doesn’t mention the controversial side I read from the flyer. So this is my version from my visit.

In 1937, two brothers, Dick and Mac McDonald, opened their first restaurant selling hot dogs, orange juice, coffee, and tea. It was named the Airdome in Monrovia, California. (Funny, I just realized the Lazy Daze founders and factory were in Monrovia, California.)

The brothers were savvy businessmen. It was a great success after a location change to San Bernardino and menu changes to a barbecue place. However, they were not pleased with their clientele. Teenagers. Too many and too rowdy. It was again time for a change. Studying the flow charts, they noticed hamburgers and fries were the biggest sellers. So, what does one do? In 1949, they changed the menu and the name from McDonald’s BBQ to McDonald’s Hamburgers. They kept their speedy service system, and with the new menu, it took about a year to become as popular. This time around, it is a different, more obedient clientele. Their plan worked better than before. They added shakes to their popular menu, which added more success. So much so that it attracted Multi-Mixer salesman Ray Kroc.

Mr. Kroc was intrigued by their successful business and also wanted in on the action. During a visit in 1961, he convinces the brothers to let him franchise McDonald’s Hamburgers. Even though there were nine successful restaurants by this time, Ray opened his restaurant in Des Plaines, IL, dubbing it the first McDonald’s, and to this day, it is the Official McDonald’s museum.

Through his success, he wanted more of the franchise. He offers to buy the brothers out, and they finally agree to 2.7 million dollars. The brothers, Dick and Mac, netting a million dollars each, which is what they wanted. After Mr. Kroc finalized the sale of McDonald’s, he realized the first original McDonald’s located at 14th and E in San Bernardino was not part of the deal; he was furious. So what does he do? He opened a McDonald’s one block north at 15th and E in San Bernardino, driving the customers to what they think is a relocation. Dick and Mac eventually give in to their struggling McDonalds, close shop, and retire. With that defeat, Ray Kroc closed the 15th & E location and sold the property.

In 1972 the original building at 14th & E was torn down. Someone in the neighborhood convinces them to leave the sign since it’s a part of San Bernardino’s history. I am taking a wild guess here for the next eight years, it was just an empty lot with only a McDonald’s sign to see on Route 66. Then in 1980, a new building was constructed and operated as Lopez Music Store. **I do not know how long they were in business at this location. **

In 1992, The San Bernardino Civic Light Opera bought the property and operated as a non-profit. During this time, the McDonald’s Corporation dedicated the brass monument, marking it as the Birthplace of McDonald’s.

I enjoyed my quick visit, even though the frustration of our mechanical issue on the motorhome was waiting for me outside. Read more on that from last week’s blog.

Thank you for reading this post, I really appreciate you! I hope you like, subscribe, and share this post. Next week I will share quick and short travel days and what’s for lunch!