World’s Largest Working Fire Hydrant: Beaumont's Giant Fire Hydrant sets world record
BEAUMONT, Texas, United States--Planted right outside of the Fire Museum of Texas in downtown Beaumont, Texas, United States, a 24-foot-tall white and black-spotted fire hydrant (also known as the "Dalmatian fire hydrant") which stands 24 feet tall, weighs 4,500 pounds, and can blast 1,500 gallons of water a minute, sets the world record for being the World's Largest Working Fire Hydrant, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
The World's Largest Working Fire Hydrant was donated to Beaumont in 1999 by Walt Disney to promote the re-release of the animated flick “101 Dalmatians."
Beaumont was chosen from over 300 museums across the country as the promotion site. Assembled at Disney Land in Anaheim, CA, the hydrant weighs a whopping 4,500 lbs and can blast 1,500 gallons of water a minute. The fire hydrant is constructed of fiber glass and re-enforced with 1,000 feet of steel.
"Endorsed by the Firemen's and Fire Marshals' Association of Texas as "The Official Fire Museum of Texas," the museum is an ideal place to permanently house the oversized fire hydrant," the Beaumont Convention Center & Visitors Bureau says.
"The Fire Museum of Texas takes visitors on a journey through the dramatic evolution of firefighting and a history of heroism. Open since 1984, it houses a collection that includes antique horse-drawn and motorized fire equipment and many unusual items used by firefighters of yesteryear. Upstairs, kids enjoy the "Fire Safety Activity Center," which demonstrates 30 fire and home safety facts for families."
Fire hydrants started out in the 1880's where municipal waterworks used hollowed cypress logs filled with water and buried them underground like the modern day piping system. To get the water out, firemen dug down to the log, drilled a hole, and then filled the engines with the water. When they were done, they would use a wooden plug to preserve the rest of the water. This is where the term "fire plug" comes from. There is a portion of the wooden pipe on display in Bay 4 at the Fire Museum of Texas that was installed in Beaumont in 1883.
Also on display are several antique fire hydrants. The oldest is a 1908 Darling Valve removed in 1985 from service in Bridgewater, Pennsylvania and donated to the museum by American Valve and Hydrant.
Address: 219 Main St, Beaumont, TX 77701, United States
TESTIMONIALS from Trip Advisor
"Great photo opportunity. Young children will get a kick out of it. The museum was ok. Interesting to see the old time fire trucks and a little history on the evolution of fire fighting."
"Driving in downtown Beaumont, just to check it out, we came across a mammoth fire hydrant, painted like a Dalmation. How cute! The Fire Museum was closed, but we pulled in to take a great photo of the hydrant."
" there was so much information, so much to see, incredible articles, artifacts, old trucks and equipment. We went through at our own pace, and left... it was also right near the highway which is awesome because we were just passing through town. Also there was no charge, just a donation if you want.
"I enjoyed a fun visit where I learned about fire fighting equipment used since 1800's. There were many fire trucks and other equipment. There were displays on pump types and fire hydrants. Upstairs has activities primarily aimed to children. There is a nice park with a huge fire hydrant across the street and admission is free."
"Your kids will love it here! The downstairs is full of antique fire engines and equipment. The upstairs is designed for kids to play and to become aware of safety... My boys got to meet the Fire Chief of Beaumont and have pictures with him at his desk. They loved it so much that they would have gladly gone back the next day."
The GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for the most fire hydrant whips in 30 seconds is 44 and was achieved by Matt Wilhelm (USA) at Lake County Fairgrounds in Grayslake, Illinois, USA, on 21 September 2016. A fire hydrant whip is a full 360-degree rotation of the back wheel of the bicycle while the rider is standing on the frame of the front wheel.
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS also recognized the world record longest journey by a fire engine is 50,957 km (31,663 miles) long and was achieved by Stephen Moore (UK), who started his journey from Greenwich, UK, on 18 July 2010 and finished it at the same place, on 10 April 2011.
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