From The Archives

History

The building was built as a farmhouse for the family of Joseph Denton in 1795. The owners were descendants of Richard Denton, a Presbyterian minister who immigrated in 1630 and a founder of the town,[1] and his son, colonist Daniel Denton. In the 1860s, it was converted into a Georgian-style mansion, with ornamentation.[3]

The house ceased being a private residence after World War I, at which point it became a funeral home and a series of restaurants.[1][3]

McDonald's acquired the dilapidated property in 1985, intending to demolish it and build a standard structure. North Hempstead and residents of the New Hyde Park community successfully sought historic designation, and an agreement with McDonald's to allow a single-story addition to the back for a drive-thru if the front exterior was restored to its 1926 appearance.[1] The renovation included installing a series of windows for the veranda.[3] Ornamentation, window shutters, and brick chimneys remain.[3] The inside was gutted in the process, including exposed rafters. A grand staircase leads to a dining area on the second floor.[3]

Landmark designation was not formally given by the Town of North Hempstead until January 5, 1988

{1]"McHeritage". Historic Preservation Magazine (Washington DC: National Trust for Historic Preservation). n.d. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
{2]"The World's Fanciest McDonalds, a former Mansion Image". Waymarking.com. Retrieved 2012-10-23.
Carr, Nick (29 May 2012).
{3} "The Most Beautiful McDonald’s In America". Scouting NY. New York NY. Retrieved 20 October 2012.
{4}"Plaque indicating the building is a historic landm". Waymarking.com. Retrieved 2012-10-23.

~wikipedia.com