Uploaded August 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 hours ago
Join us on a nostalgic road trip back to 1989 along Route 66 in Azusa, California, where we explore the disappearing remnants of Googie architecture and the earliest days of fast food.
We uncover the forgotten history of the 8th McDonald's built by the McDonald brothers themselves—before the Ray Kroc era. See rare camcorder footage of this iconic roadside sign and building, designed in the futuristic Googie style, built to be seen from a moving car!
Tracing the evolution of the brand, we map out the key locations in Southern California:
San Bernardino: The birthplace of the "McDonald's Self-Service System" in 1948, which effectively invented modern fast food.
Downey: Home to the oldest surviving McDonald's, featuring the classic red-and-white tile and neon golden arches.
Baldwin Park: The original 1948 home of In-N-Out Burger.
From the first "McDonald's Famous Bar-B-Q" drive-in to the Googie-style franchises designed by Stanley Meston, we explore how the golden arches became an American icon. Witness the sad fate of the Azusa location, paved over for a parking lot, and reflect on the loss of these historical roadside landmarks.
A must-watch for fans of: Googie Architecture, Route 66 History, Fast Food Origins, American Pop Culture, and Mid-Century Modern Design.
Join us on a nostalgic road trip back to 1989 along Route 66 in Azusa, California, where we explore the disappearing remnants of Googie architecture and the earliest days of fast food.
We uncover the forgotten history of the 8th McDonald's built by the McDonald brothers themselves—before the Ray Kroc era. See rare camcorder footage of this iconic roadside sign and building, designed in the futuristic Googie style, built to be seen from a moving car!
Tracing the evolution of the brand, we map out the key locations in Southern California:
San Bernardino: The birthplace of the "McDonald's Self-Service System" in 1948, which effectively invented modern fast food.
Downey: Home to the oldest surviving McDonald's, featuring the classic red-and-white tile and neon golden arches.
Baldwin Park: The original 1948 home of In-N-Out Burger.
From the first "McDonald's Famous Bar-B-Q" drive-in to the Googie-style franchises designed by Stanley Meston, we explore how the golden arches became an American icon. Witness the sad fate of the Azusa location, paved over for a parking lot, and reflect on the loss of these historical roadside landmarks.
A must-watch for fans of: Googie Architecture, Route 66 History, Fast Food Origins, American Pop Culture, and Mid-Century Modern Design.
