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A small little town, which has been dubbed “The Gateway to Death Valley” as well as one of the last stops before heading into Las Vegas from California. It has now become a beacon for travelers with several gas stations and fast-food joints for those quick fill-ups or bites to eat.
As you drive down the one main street in and out of Baker you see the remains of abandoned buildings that once housed a variety of businesses. It gives you the feeling of almost being a ghost town if it was not for the weary travers frequenting the open businesses.
Baker was as founded in 1908 by Richard T. Baker and his business partner as a station for the Tonopah & Tidewater Railroad and named after Baker. Baker was established in 1929 by Ralph Jacobus Fairbanks. Baker is ridiculed with abandoned businesses and homes, such as the Bun Boy Restaurant and Motel.
It is said that Willis Herron owned most of the business and was said to have employed half of the Baker population. He hoped to bring more visitors to the town. But, due to health problems, he sold most of his business to Mike Pike in 2005, before his eventual death in 2007.
World’s Tallest Thermometer
This quirky roadside attraction stands located across the street adjacent to the Mad Greek Café stands 134 tall and weighs 76,812 pounds. It can register the temperature up to 134 degrees.
The Young Electric Company out of Salt Lake City, Utah was commissioned in 1991 by the owner Willis Herron to build the giant landmark. The original cost to build the thermometer was $750,000, but before it could officially be light, high winds blew it over. It was rebuilt stronger and officially lit in 1992.
In 2012 the thermometer was turned off by its then owner Mike Pike who stated that it cost too much to maintain and run. The original owner’s family regained ownership in March 2014 and vowed to repair it and turn it back on. It was dubbed “The Big Fix”. On July 10, 2014, the official relighting ceremony was held.
There is a little gift shop and I believe museum; it was not open when we passed through, so we did not go in and check it out.
Bun Boy Restaurant and Motel
The restaurant originally opened in 1926 and Herron became an investor in 1950. Matt Pike bought Bun Boy restaurant in 2005 and turned it into a Bob’s Big Boy franchise. The restaurant closed in May 2013 after Pike faced legal trouble for not paying franchise fees.
Remarkably if you look in the windows of the abandoned building, it stands as the day it did when the doors closed. Next door to the restaurant is another abandoned building that has a Bun Boy sign as well.
Also located by the restaurant is the motel, which is believed to have closed around the same time. The last Yelp review looks to be from 2011, and the review where not good at all. Travelers who stayed before its closing called it as much as a prison.
Arne’s Royal Hawaiian Motel
A second abandoned hotel stands in Baker, just a block or two down from Bun Boy. The Tiki-themed establishment opened in 1957. It was forced to close its doors in 2009 due to the economic hardship of the recession and increased competition from hotels in Vegas.
Peeking in the windows you can see that it has been completely gutted, but you can still see the beautiful, vaulted wood ceilings. The courtyard for the pool area is lined with palm trees and looks to have been at one time a beautiful relaxing place.
You will also find the following food joints in Baker:
- The Mad Greek (This is our go-to place – we have given a review under “Foodie Adventures”)
- Los Dos Toritos
- Del Taco
- Denny’s
- Taco Bell
- Jack In The Box
- Carl’s Jr.
- Arby’s
- A&W
- Burger King
- Dairy Queen
- Jersey Mike’s
- Subway
- Pizza Hut