World's Tallest Thermometer
{{short description|American roadside attraction and landmark}}
{{Infobox building
| name = World's Tallest Thermometer
| image = Baker California Nov03.jpg
| image_size =
| image_alt =
| image_caption = World's Tallest Thermometer, 2003
| coordinates = {{coord|35.26644|-116.07275|display=inline,title}}
| status = complete
| building_type = Sign
| location = 72157 Baker Boulevard
Baker, California
United States
| completion_date = 1991
| renovation_date = 2014
| demolition_date =
| cost = $700,000
| ren_cost = $150,000
| owner = Herron family
| height = {{convert|134|ft|m|}}
| weight = {{convert|76812|lb|kg}}
| main_contractor = Young Electric Sign Company
| ren_contractor =
| website = {{URL|worldstallestthermometer.com}}
| embedded =
| references =
| footnotes =
}}
The World's Tallest Thermometer is a landmark in Baker, California, US. It is a steel electric sign that commemorates the weather record of {{convert|134|F}} recorded in nearby Death Valley on July 10, 1913.
The sign weighs {{convert|76812|lb|kg t}} and is held together by {{convert|125|cuyd|m3}} of concrete. It stands {{convert|134|ft|m}} tall and is capable of displaying a maximum temperature of {{convert|134|F|C K}}, both of which are a reference to the temperature record.{{cite news |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/957896/Hot-spot-is-a-cool-pit-stop.html?pg=all |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130927174719/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/957896/Hot-spot-is-a-cool-pit-stop.html?pg=all |url-status=dead |archive-date=September 27, 2013 |title=Hot spot is a cool pit stop |first=Lee |last=Benson |authorlink=Lee Benson |newspaper=Deseret News |date=6 January 2003}}
History
It was built in 1991 by the Young Electric Sign Company of Salt Lake City, Utah for Willis Herron, a Baker businessman who spent US$700,000 ({{Inflation|US|700000|1991|fmt=eq|r=-3}}) 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.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
Soon after its construction, {{convert|70|mph|km/h m/s|abbr=on|adj=on}} 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.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
Herron sold{{when|date=December 2023}} 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 US$8,000 per month ({{Inflation|US|8000|2012|fmt=eq|r=-3}}) and that he turned it off due to the poor economy.{{cite news |url= https://www.latimes.com/local/la-xpm-2012-dec-24-la-me-baker-thermometer-20121224-story.html |title=Baker's giant thermometer, long on the blink, is taking heat |first=Phil |last=Willon |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=2012-12-24 }}
In 2013, the thermometer and accompanying empty gift shop were listed for sale.{{cite news |url= http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/01/bakers-giant-thermometer-is-up-for-sale.html |title=Baker's giant thermometer is up for sale |first=Phil |last=Willon |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=2013-01-03 }} 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.{{cite news |url=http://www.scpr.org/news/2014/03/26/43055/exclusive-world-s-tallest-thermometer-will-light-u/ |title=World's tallest thermometer could light up again |first=Wendy |last=Lee |publisher=KPCC |date=2014-03-26 }} The renovation was funded with sweat equity and a contribution from the owner's mother of US$150,000 ({{Inflation|US|150000|2013|fmt=eq|r=-3}}). The official re-lighting took place on July 10, 2014.{{cite news |url=http://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-worlds-tallest-thermometer-in-baker-shines-bright-again-20140711-story.html |title=World's tallest thermometer in Baker shines bright again |first=Veronica |last=Rocha |newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=2014-07-12 }}
In December 2016, EVgo announced building the first US fast charge station for electric vehicles at up to 350 kW. {{cite web|url= https://electrek.co/2016/12/15/electric-vehicle-dc-fast-charging-station-in-us-breaks-ground-in-california/ |title=The first electric vehicle DC fast-charging station capable of 350 kW output breaks ground in California |date=2016-12-15 |work=Electrek |accessdate=2016-12-28 |first=Fred |last=Lambert }} The station is located in the rear parking area behind the thermometer, visible to travelers on Interstate 15.{{citation needed|date=December 2023}}
References
{{Reflist|1}}
External links
{{stack|{{commons category|World's Tallest Thermometer}}}}
- {{official website|www.worldstallestthermometer.com}}
- [http://www.roadsideamerica.com/attract/CABAKthermometer.html Roadside America]
Category:1991 establishments in California
Category:Individual signs in the United States
Category:Landmarks in California
Category:Roadside attractions in California
Category:Towers completed in 1991
Category:Tourist attractions in San Bernardino County, California