If you have made the road trip from Las Vegas into Los Angeles, chances are that just a short while over the California border, you have noticed a tall structure on your right in Baker, CA. It is billed as “The World’s Tallest Thermometer,” and at 134 ft., it is more than five times taller than it’s nearest rival.
The 134 feet was to honor the record 134 degree temperature that was once reached in nearby Death Valley, and its location in Baker is because that small town is known as the “Gateway to Death Valley.” Of course since it is so visible from the interstate, it coaxes many travelers to pull off and spend some time in the town, hopefully while also spending some money.
A man named Willis Herron originally had the structure built in 1990. The company he chose to build it, was the Young Electric Sign Co., who were responsible for many of the neon signs that can be seen in Las Vegas. The original plans consisted of 5,000 lamps and 33 tons of steel, but had to be reinforced with concrete after it crashed into the gift shop that was being built to accompany it. Finally, in October of 1992, it was ready to be turned on.
Herron died in 2007, and by 2012 the thermometer stopped working. The new owner of the thermometer blamed the poor economy and electric bill for the closure. However, it received a second chance at life when Herron’s daughter bought it, and his widow paid for repairs. The gift shop that sits at the base even sells original bulbs from the structure to commemorate the building of this monstrosity.
To date, the highest temperature that it has recorded is 127 degrees, just cool enough to be recorded.
At first look, this seems to be just a silly tourist trap. And basically, it is. However, if you are like me and travel frequently, it is things like this that make the drive more bearable. I enjoy taking an exit to see what silly things some of these cities come up with. And while it may only occupy a few minutes of your time, if you get the chance, pull off and take a picture. And then check out the gift shop and show your support by buying a light bulb, t-shirt, or even just a candy bar.
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