VOL. XXIV, NO. 4
DECEMBER 17, 1982
Progress often destroys past
Although over 7000 McDonald's restaurants exist throughout the world, the impending closure of the original McDonald's brings about several disappointing realizations.
The first McDonald's located at 400 Lee Street will probably be closed late in the summer of 1983. at the same time the chain will relocate in a new McDonald's right across the street.
With the closing of this restaurant a bit of Americana will cease to exist. McDonald's started as a no frills restaurant, excluding juke boxes, phones, cigarette machines, and loud music. Every McDonald's built since April 15. 1955 has followed in the footsteps of its ancestor.
Now, that restaurant, one of the handful of McDonald's left with the original ''golden arches," a design that was discontinued in 1960, long before many of us were born, is being closed.
The first McDonald's located at 400 Lee Street will probably be closed late in the summer of 1983. at the same time the chain will relocate in a new McDonald's right across the street.
With the closing of this restaurant a bit of Americana will cease to exist. McDonald's started as a no frills restaurant, excluding juke boxes, phones, cigarette machines, and loud music. Every McDonald's built since April 15. 1955 has followed in the footsteps of its ancestor.
Now, that restaurant, one of the handful of McDonald's left with the original ''golden arches," a design that was discontinued in 1960, long before many of us were born, is being closed.
The reason given for the closing of the oldest McDonald's is solely economic; a need for added room to provide higher profits. The new location at 440 Lee Street will provide the added room for parking, a drive‑thru, a larger restaurant for more seating, and improved equipment.
The old building will most likely be destroyed and there will be no remnants of the first McDonald's.
All of these actions are being taken in the name of progress. If large corporations insist upon destroying all landmarks that are too small or outdated for the modern world, there will not be any link to our national heritage.
We must ask ourselves if progress and future technology are honestly worth losing sight of our past?
The old building will most likely be destroyed and there will be no remnants of the first McDonald's.
All of these actions are being taken in the name of progress. If large corporations insist upon destroying all landmarks that are too small or outdated for the modern world, there will not be any link to our national heritage.
We must ask ourselves if progress and future technology are honestly worth losing sight of our past?
