World's tallest thermometer

The World's Tallest Thermometer is a landmark in Baker, California, US. It is a steel electric sign that commemorates the weather record of 134 °F (57 °C) recorded in nearby Death Valley on July 10, 1913.

World's Tallest Thermometer
World's Tallest Thermometer, 2003
General information
StatusComplete
TypeSign
Location72157 Baker Boulevard
Baker, California
United States
Coordinates35.26644°N 116.07275°W / 35.26644; -116.07275
Completed1991
Renovated2014
Cost$700,000
Renovation cost$150,000
OwnerHerron family
Height134 feet (41 m)
Dimensions
Weight76,812 pounds (34,841 kg)
Design and construction
Main contractorYoung Electric Sign Company
Website
worldstallestthermometer.com

The sign weighs 76,812 pounds (34,841 kg) and is held together by 125 cubic yards (96 m3) of concrete. It stands 134 feet (41 m) tall and is capable of displaying a maximum temperature of 134 °F (57 °C), both of which are a reference to the temperature record.[1]

History

It was built in 1991 by the Young Electric Sign Company of Salt Lake City, Utah[1] for Willis Herron, a Baker businessman who spent $700,000 to build the thermometer next to his Bun Boy restaurant. Its height—134 feet—was in honor of the 134-degree record temperature set in nearby Death Valley on July 10, 1913.

Soon after its construction, 70-mph winds snapped the thermometer in half, and it was rebuilt. Two years later, severe gusts made the thermometer sway so much that its light bulbs popped out. Concrete was then poured inside the steel core to reinforce the monument.

Herron sold the attraction and restaurant to another local businessman, Larry Dabour, who sold it in 2005. In September 2012, the owner at that time, Matt Pike, said that the power bill for its operation had reached $8,000 per month and that he turned it off due to the poor economy.[2] In 2013, the thermometer and accompanying empty gift shop were listed for sale.[3] The family of Willis Herron (who died in 2007) recovered ownership of the property in 2014 and stated their intention to make it operational again.[4] The official re-lighting took place on July 10, 2014.[5]

In December 2016, eVgo announced building the first US fast charge station for electric vehicles at up to 350 kW. The charging station is scheduled to operate at WTT (World's Tallest Thermometer) after summer 2017.[6]

Location

The world's tallest thermometer is at 72157 Baker Boulevard in Baker, California. It is visible from three different angles along Interstate 15 in Southern California's Mojave Desert. A gift shop at the base of the thermometer stands near a commemorative plaque that describes the history of the site.

References
  1. Benson, Lee (6 January 2003). "Hot spot is a cool pit stop". Deseret News.
  2. Willon, Phil (24 December 2012). "Baker's giant thermometer, long on the blink, is taking heat". Los Angeles Times.
  3. Willon, Phil (3 January 2013). "Baker's giant thermometer is up for sale". Los Angeles Times.
  4. Lee, Wendy (26 March 2014). "World's tallest thermometer could light up again". KPCC.
  5. Rocha, Veronica (12 July 2014). "World's tallest thermometer in Baker shines bright again". Los Angeles Times.
  6. "The first electric vehicle DC fast-charging station capable of 350 kW output breaks ground in California". Electrek. 15 December 2016. Retrieved 28 December 2016.
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