Denton House (New Hyde Park, New York)

The Denton House is a historic building in New Hyde Park, New York, within the Town of North Hempstead. Built in 1795 as a farmhouse, it was converted in the 1860s to a Georgian-style mansion. It is currently a McDonald's restaurant.

Not to be confused with the George W. Denton House in Flowerhill, Nassau County, New York.

Denton House
(McDonald's Restaurant #12000)
The historic Joseph Denton House/McDonald's restaurant as seen from NY 25 in New Hyde Park, New York (Before 2017 renovation)
General information
StatusComplete
Address2045 Jericho Turnpike
Town or cityNew Hyde Park, New York
CountryUnited States
Current tenantsMcDonald's
(operated as a franchise by Joan and Lawrence Anderer, Jr. (as of 1991)[1][2]
Completed1795
OwnerMcDonald's
Height
ArchitecturalGeorgian
Technical details
Floor count2
Other information
Seating capacity140[1]

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 then 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 after a three-year battle, which was formally given on January 5, 1988.[4] An agreement was reached 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] After an extensive renovation which included installing a series of windows for the veranda,[3] and restoration of the ornamentation, window shutters, and brick chimneys, McDonald's opened in the historic building on April 13, 1991. A plaque commemorating the opening can be found inside the dining room.[3] The inside was gutted in the process, including exposed rafters. A grand staircase leads to a dining area on the second floor.[3]

As part of McDonald's company-wide renovation program, the Denton House received another renovation in 2017. Carefully planned and executed to conform with McDonald's design standards while still maintaining a historic look, the renovation refinished the interior woodwork and flooring, updated the restrooms, and added amenities consistent with McDonald's remodels, including digital menu boards, touchscreen ordering kiosks, and table service. The window shutters and front doors were also restored and repainted black. [3]

References
  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.
  3. Carr, Nick (29 May 2012). "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.
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