World’s Tallest Thermometer: world record set in Baker, California
BAKER, California, United States--A steel electric sign that commemorates the weather record of 134 °F (57 °C) recorded in nearby Death Valley on July 10, 1913, is a landmark in Baker, California; the 134-foot tall thermometer weighs 76,812 pounds and is held together by 125 cubic yards of concrete, setting the world record for being the World's Tallest Thermometer, according to the WORLD RECORD ACADEMY.
"The revamped thermometer received a fresh coat of paint and new LED lights, replacing its old standard light bulbs, which had driven up electric bills.
"Barbara Herron spent $150,000 to bring the tourist attraction back to life.We wanted to do it for the town of Baker,” Harguess said, the
Los Angeles Times reports.
The World's Tallest Thermometer 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.
The World's Tallest Thermometer was built in 1991 by the Young Electric Sign Company of Salt Lake City, Utah 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.
In 2013, the thermometer and accompanying empty gift shop were listed for sale. 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. The official re-lighting took place on July 10, 2014.
In December 2016, EVgo announced building the first US fast charge station for electric vehicles at up to 350 kW. The station is located in the rear parking area behind the thermometer, visible to travelers on Interstate 15.
"The gift shop offers attraction souvenirs, t-shirts, and themed thermometers; money from the shop's sales is used to maintain the Thermometer," the Roadside America reports. Visitors can buy fridge magnets commemorating the hottest Thermometer temperature of the previous year (118 degrees in 2019) and red and white light bulbs from the original Thermometer, individually mounted on wood display bases as prized artifacts.
"The outdoor picnic area features a photo-op of two fake eggs in a cast iron skillet rigged to its own thermometer, and visitors in the gift shop can view its temperature to see if it's hot enough -- 158 degrees -- to fry real eggs. Touching the actual skillet is not recommended.
"Inside Temp 134, Thermometer history is displayed in artifacts such as the original Thermometer circuit board array that captured the outside temperature and signaled the Thermometer lights to change. A framed oil portrait of Willis and Barbara Herron benevolently hangs on a wall."
TESTIMONIALS from Trip Advisor
"If you are driving to Vegas from LA area you will go by it. Stop and see it and go into the gift shop.small but nice.They have a rock with a fry pan showing two eggs being cooked by the heat in the air. Now it is a short stop but it is a historic area."
"kids will love this and they have spots marked for the best pictures with the thermometer! . There are some great souvenirs, t-shirts and "stuff" that will make the stop more memorable."
"Mr. Willis Herron daughter operates the stop, she is delightful and so informative. She works diligently to continue her families legacy with the World's Tallest Thermometer and it is a must stop along Interstate 15 in Southern California's Mojave Desert."
"Interesting and something to look at while getting something to eat or driving down I 15 on you way to Vegas."
"The gift shop had lots of great souvenir items and some history books etc. that looked interesting. The 2 people in the shop were the owners and heirs of the man who built the Tallest Thermometer. They were very nice and friendly."
The World's Tallest Thermometer
Address: 72157 Baker Blvd, Baker, CA 92309, United States
Directions: Near I-15, Exit 246. Death Valley Rd north to 1st right on I-15 Business.
Hours: Opens 10AM
GPS: 35.2660, -116.0733
Facebook: Worlds Tallest Thermometer on Facebook
The GUINNESS WORLD RECORD for the earliest mercury thermometer was set by Daniel Gabriel Farenheit (Poland) (1686-1736) in 1714. Farenheit had settled in Amsterdam in 1701 before travelling around Europe, meeting instrument makers and scientists. It was during this period he invented the mercury thermometer. He returned to Amsterdam in 1717. He published his method for thermometer construction in the journal 'Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society of London' in 1724.
GUINNESS WORLD RECORDS also recognized the world record for the largest online video chain of people passing and using a thermometer; it is 540, achieved by Terumo Asia Pacific (Singapore), verified on 12 August 2021.
