McDonald's Museum Slated For Demolition

DES PLAINES, IL - The McDonald's museum in Des Plaines, a replica of the first McDonald's restaurant owned by Ray Kroc in the modern chain of the fast-food giant, could be torn down as early as next month. McDonald's announced plans on Monday to permanently close the museum, the Chicago Tribune reports. Their plan is to apply for a demolition permit and then donate the land to the city of Des Plaines after it's gone.

The museum at 400 Lee St. in Des Plaines has been in operation since 1984, when the first McDonald's owned by Kroc was torn down at that location. The museum originally used the same arches from Kroc's first restaurant.

Kroc's first restaurant was actually the ninth McDonald's built in the United States but is considered first in the modern era that began when Kroc franchised it from its original owners.

Tourists haven't had access to the museum in nearly 10 years, however. Flooding in the area and other problems led to McDonald's decision to close.

More via the Chicago Tribune

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