Ever dreamed of owning the world’s tallest thermometer? If you’ve got millionaire money, that could now be a reality.
The towering landmark in Baker, California — long treated as a roadside must-see — has reportedly been put up for sale, according to several local outlets.
The offering covers a 4.3-acre parcel in San Bernardino County, positioned around 90 miles southwest of the Las Vegas Strip.
Located by Interstate 15 and Baker Boulevard, the property also includes a 1,107-square-foot retail building, though the enormous thermometer is widely considered the main draw.
Interested buyers will need deep pockets: the asking price is $1.85 million.
Still, for that figure, you’d be buying one of the Mojave Desert’s most recognizable tourist stops — and the attraction’s own website lays out why it stands apart.
Explaining the listing, the World’s Tallest Thermometer explains: “The World’s Tallest Thermometer, one of the most recognizable roadside landmarks in America, is being offered for sale as it enters an exciting new chapter in its celebrated history.
“Standing prominently along Interstate 15 in Baker, California, the 134-foot landmark has welcomed millions of travelers from around the world and has become a beloved symbol of the Mojave Desert experience.”
The listing continues: “Known for commemorating the record-setting 134-degree temperature recorded in nearby Death Valley, the towering attraction has remained a treasured destination for visitors, photographers, and road-trip enthusiasts for decades.
“For the family, caring for this world-famous monument and its beloved mascot, Buzz, has been a profound honor. However, looking toward the future, we recognize that the time is right to pass the torch to a new champion.”
The thermometer was built in 1991 by Willis Herron, who invested $750,000 to bring the oversized monument to life, and it has remained in the hands of the late businessman’s family ever since.
Now, however, they say they’re ready to hand it over along with the surrounding land.
“As several of us reach retirement age, we find we can no longer spend the hands-on time here that we would like,” the family added on the website.
“While a few of our heirs live locally, they have developed their own busy careers, and others have settled out of state, meaning there is no one in the next generation available to step into daily operations. To ensure the thermometer’s long-term preservation and allow it to reach its full potential, we have decided the time is right to find its next visionary owner.”