World's Tallest Thermometer Explained

World's Tallest Thermometer
Coordinates:35.2664°N -116.0728°W
Status:complete
Building Type:Sign
Location:72157 Baker Boulevard
Baker, California
United States
Completion Date:1991
Renovation Date:2014
Destruction Date:-->
Cost:$700,000
Ren Cost:$150,000
Owner:Herron family
Height:134feet
Weight:76812lb
Main Contractor:Young Electric Sign Company

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

The sign weighs 76812lb and is held together by 125cuyd of concrete. It stands 134feet tall and is capable of displaying a maximum temperature of 134F, 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 US$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, 70abbr=onNaNabbr=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.

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 US$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 renovation was funded with sweat equity and a contribution from the owner's mother of US$150,000 . 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. [6] The station is located in the rear parking area behind the thermometer, visible to travelers on Interstate 15.

External links

Notes and References

  1. News: Hot spot is a cool pit stop . Lee . Benson . Lee Benson . . 6 January 2003.
  2. News: Baker's giant thermometer, long on the blink, is taking heat . Phil . Willon . . 2012-12-24 .
  3. News: Baker's giant thermometer is up for sale . Phil . Willon . . 2013-01-03 .
  4. News: World's tallest thermometer could light up again . Wendy . Lee . . 2014-03-26 .
  5. News: World's tallest thermometer in Baker shines bright again . Veronica . Rocha . . 2014-07-12 .
  6. Web site: The first electric vehicle DC fast-charging station capable of 350 kW output breaks ground in California . 2016-12-15 . . 2016-12-28 . Fred . Lambert .