Several weeks ago, we were in our Zip Car, and found ourselves in Des Plaines. Just minutes after commenting that the original McDonald’s is in Des Plaines, we stumbled upon it. I had to stop and take a few shots, so we pulled into the parking lot of the McDonald’s across the street (which had unremarkable architecture of which I don’t even remember.)

Sadly, this isn’t the real Store #1. According to the very corporate McDonald’s website, the original Store #1 suffered many remodels (I am not surprised) over the years, and was finally torn down in 1984 to be replaced with this replica, constructed from the original plans complete with mannequins inside (white and male, a replica of how it was in the olden days?) standing there ready to serve. The fence keeping hoodlums out must have been an afterthought, since both brick and black iron are completely out of context with the white, yellow, and red painted metal and tile of the building. But somehow at the same time, it seems very McDonald’s… And very expected.