World's tallest thermometer


The World's Tallest Thermometer is a landmark located in Baker, California, USA. It is a steel electric sign that commemorates the record 134 degrees Fahrenheit recorded in nearby Death Valley on July 10, 1913.
The sign weighs and is held together by of concrete. It stands tall and is capable of displaying a maximum temperature of, both of which are a reference to the temperature record.

History

It was built in 1991 by the Young Electric Sign Company of Salt Lake City, Utah for Willis Herron, a local 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 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 charging station is scheduled to operate at WTT after summer 2017.

Location

The world's tallest thermometer is located 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.