The World’s Largest Thermometer
Thursday, 22nd February 2007 by Alex Turnbull
Built to commemorate the highest temperature ever recorded in the United States, the World's Largest Thermometer in near Death Valley, California is a whopping 134 feet tall. Why? There's one foot for every degree - yes, it really did reach an unbelievable 134° Fahrenheit here in 1913.
That's 40.8 metres and 56.7 °C for those of you feeling confused right now 😉
And although there's no high-res imagery, the coldest temperature ever recorded in the US , a terrifying −80.0 °F (−62.2 °C), was recorded in Prospect Creek, Alaska.
Thanks to Courtney.
More at Roadside America.
About the author
Alex has decided that his title will be Senior Vice President of Stuff.
Of course i’m tempted to say that this thermometer is perfect for taking a temperature up the worlds biggest rectum but that would would just be childish. And here, of course, is a picture of the worlds biggest arsehole
That’s actually across the freeway from Mojave NP, while remaining some distance from Death Valley NP, saying it’s in Death Valley is a bit misleading. But it is a nifty thermometer, I stayed next door to it the last time I went to Mojave to photograph.
El termometro es muy grande…ay ay ay!
Hahah ok ill stop…anyways, i believe that was used in a King Kong movie that was never released…yup….ok im lying.
-Adam
Actually I think it is in the ‘town’ of Baker, CA. I didn’t go there during the 134 but I did see it at 118 one time.
The last time I saw it, it was around 115 (but the temperature got up to 126F in the Valley when I was near Furnace Creek later that day). If Al Gore is right, how long do you think it will be before they have to build a new one?
Also, is it just me or are the Prospect Creek images a little odd? I could get images at levels 12 and 14, but not 13.
CM: yes, it would be childish, but that’s what we count on you for 😉
Joe: I’ve changed the post to say “near”, how about that?
Timhogs: I believe the image with the thermometer is slightly lower res than the square only a few metres to the west – which gives some odd effects when you’re zoomed right in.
Roger is correct, the thermometer is in Baker, CA. So it’s not actually in Death Valley (it’s around a hundred miles sootheast of Death Valley) although the 134 degrees is a reference to the highest recorded temperature at Death Valley. It was built by the Bun Boy restaurant (which has now closed and been replaced by a Bob’s Big Boy restaurant).
Wikipedia article
Baker is a popular stop for those driving between Los Angeles and Las Vegas, because there aren’t that many other places to stop and get gasoline or food for quite some distance in either direction.
Alex: Totally cool. 🙂 Thanks!
CM, can’t we go ANYWHERE on the web without someone dragging GWB into it? The GWB haters use every excuse they can to drag him into every conversation, and it gets old – and I don’t even like the guy myself. Not even overhead imagery of something totally irrelevant to politics is safe from the intrusion.
Hey RJ – i know its a cheap shot. I did pause for a bit on whether or not to use him but this site is visited by people from all over the world and wanted a figure that the whole world could join in hating! I was going to choose Robbie Savage or Nick Griffin but i’m guessing most of you have never heard of either of them. Saying that i would still enjoying sticking the worlds biggest thermometer in any one of GWB’s orifices. In future i will steer clear of political comment and continue in my role of purveyor of childish comments.