World's tallest thermometer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids World's Tallest Thermometer |
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World's Tallest Thermometer, 2003
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| General information | |
| Status | Complete |
| Type | Sign |
| Location | 72157 Baker Boulevard Baker, California United States |
| Coordinates | 35°15′59″N 116°04′22″W / 35.26644°N 116.07275°W |
| Completed | 1991 |
| Renovated | 2014 |
| Cost | $700,000 |
| Renovation cost | $150,000 |
| Owner | Herron family |
| Height | 134 feet (41 m) |
| Dimensions | |
| Weight | 76,812 pounds (34,841 kg) |
| Design and construction | |
| Main contractor | Young Electric Sign Company |
The World's Tallest Thermometer is a famous landmark located in Baker, California, in the United States. It's a huge steel electric sign that celebrates a very special weather record. This record was set on July 10, 1913, when Death Valley, a place not far from Baker, recorded an incredible temperature of 134 °F (57 °C).
This giant thermometer weighs about 76,812 pounds (34,841 kg), which is like the weight of several elephants! It stands 134 feet (41 m) tall. Both its height and the highest temperature it can show (134 °F (57 °C)) are a direct nod to that record-breaking day in Death Valley.
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Building the World's Tallest Thermometer
The thermometer was built in 1991 by a company called Young Electric Sign Company. A local businessman named Willis Herron paid $700,000 to have it built. He wanted it right next to his restaurant, the Bun Boy. The height of 134 feet was chosen to honor the 134-degree temperature record from Death Valley.
Challenges and Repairs
Soon after it was built, strong winds, blowing at 70 miles per hour, actually broke the thermometer in half! But it was quickly rebuilt. Two years later, even stronger winds made the thermometer sway so much that its light bulbs fell out. To fix this, workers poured concrete inside the steel core. This made the huge sign much stronger and more stable.
Changing Owners and Re-lighting
Willis Herron later sold the thermometer and his restaurant. Over the years, it changed owners a few times. In 2012, one owner, Matt Pike, turned it off because the electricity bill was too high, costing $8,000 a month! The thermometer and its empty gift shop were even put up for sale.
However, in 2014, Willis Herron's family got the property back. They decided to make the thermometer work again. On July 10, 2014, exactly 101 years after the record temperature was set, the thermometer was officially lit up again!
Future Plans: Electric Car Charging
In 2016, a company called eVgo announced plans to build a super-fast charging station for electric vehicles right at the thermometer's location. This charging station was planned to open after summer 2017.
Where to Find the Thermometer
The World's Tallest Thermometer is located at 72157 Baker Boulevard in Baker, California. You can easily see it from three different directions if you are driving on Interstate 15. This highway runs through the Mojave Desert in Southern California. At the bottom of the thermometer, there's a gift shop and a special plaque. This plaque tells the story of the thermometer and its history.
