The "A Piece Of Memorabilia For Free" Story

The original McDonald's in Lacaster, Pennyslvania.  It opened in 1962
 to the left of the Wheatland Shopping Center, but moved about 100
yards to the right in 1989. This building is now a jewelry store.

It was an ordinary day.  Sitting in my '53 Henry J with my friend Terry after an evening at the Acme Super- market in the Manor Shopping Center where we both work.  After work we decided to take a run around the "Loop" to see what was happening and after finding just a few other cars on the "Loop", headed to McDonald's on the Columbia Pike for a burger, fries and a shake.  The year was 1962 and many of my friends would drive their pride and joy around the "Loop", showing off for anyone who may have been interested.  The "Loop" in Lancaster, PA started at the Square in downtown Lancaster, or at the Post Office, if you wanted a shorter run, and extended north on Queen Street until you reached Liberty.  

Then you took a left for a block and came back south on Prince Street.  Not only was the "Loop" frequented by those with neat vehicles, it was patrolled by the Lancaster City Police making sure that everyone obeyed the traffic laws and there was no rowdy behavior along the "Loop."  We did find quite a few of our friends at McDonald's that evening as we pulled into a spot in the parking lot in front of the McDonald's.  McDonald's had just opened that year moving into a building in the Wheatland Shopping Center and was one of only 350 in the entire United States at the time.  Great gathering place for teens in the community as well as from the surrounding towns of Lancaster, County.  Thinking back on those times from the past often brings back fond memories of friends whom I haven't seen for ages.  

Terry and I would spend quite a few summer evenings after work in that parking lot under the "Golden Arch."  Back then the hamburgers would cost $.15 and the cheeseburgers were $.20.  Fries would set you back $.12 with the shakes the most expensive item at $.22.  Terry and I usually opted for the "All American" special of hamburger, fries and shake for $.45.  Sounds pretty cheap today, but back then it took a chunk of money out of your pocket when you stopped half-a-dozen times a week for the special.  

The McDonald's as it is today with the 1962 sign that
will soon be removed and discarded.

Well, in 1989 a new owner purchased the McDonald's and moved it about 100 yards closer to the center of town into a building that looked like most all the other McDonald's restaurants in Lancaster.  Not only did he move the restaurant, but he moved the huge "Golden Arch."  Pretty neat that he took along the symbol of Ray Kroc's brainchild.  I kind of drifted away from the Columbia Ave. McDonald's since I had three children and a wife when the store changed locations.  We still made family visits to our local McDonald's since it was an inexpensive meal and always a treat for a Friday evening supper.  A few days ago I read in the paper that the 1962 "Golden Arch" is coming down in favor of a new McDonald's sign.  It was reported that anyone who wanted it could have it for just the price of taking it down, but I guess they had no takers.  Would be a great piece of memorabilia, but, don't think the neighbors would appreciate the neon sign lighting up the neighborhood.  I just had to stop and take one more photo of the old location, new location and the sign that brings back many memories of good times from the past.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

PS - It was reported yesterday in the local newspaper that a collector of McDonalds memorabilia is going to take the sign down and add it to his collection.  Great news for those who can remember way back when …