It's always fascinating to research the history behind the roadside attractions in the United States. There are many "world's largest" attractions that can be found throughout the United States. Popular in attracting tourists, "world's largest" structures are fun to see and have interesting history behind them to explain why they were built.
My all time favorite "world's largest" attraction is the "world's largest working fire hydrant" located in beautiful Beaumont, Texas. My husband and I traveled to Beaumont, Texas for two reasons: 1. To find a really good burger restaurant and 2. To visit their huge fire hydrant.
Why would anyone need a fire hydrant so record breakingly large?
A History Lesson
This fire hydrant was built purely for promotional purposes. In 1999, Disney re-released the animated version of 101 Dalmatians. To promote the movie they decided to construct a record breaking fire hydrant in terms of size and ability to work like regular sized hydrants. The fire hydrant was originally constructed at Disneyland in it's California location to celebrate and promote 101 Dalmatians. It was painted white with black spots like a dalmatian's coat. After a while, Disney decided to find a new and permanent home for their creation. They chose Beaumont, Texas to be it's new home and placed it across the street from Beaumont's "The Official Fire Museum of Texas." source
Firehouse Museum Across the Street
When the fire hydrant was built in 1999 it was the largest one in the world. Apparently, others dreamed of beating this record and two other recording breaking hydrants were constructed that beat Beaumont's hydrant in terms of size. The hydrant in Texas is the only one that actually works and functions like normal sized hydrants. source
When visiting this wonder, it's very easy to find with the bright white and black colors standing out surrounded by brick buildings. In the spring and summer it is a cheerful looking place to visit with the lovely grass yard, decorative bushes, and beautiful fire station nearby.
Statue and Area Around The Hydrant Dedicated To Retired, Deceased, and Fallen Firefighters
The area surrounding the fire hydrant has been designed as a tribute to firefighters. Those who are retired, deceased, or fallen are honored here. When the hydrant was first constructed the area around it wasn't as pretty. Over time, the museum caring for the hydrant has tended to the surrounding area to beautify it as a tribute to all firefighters.
The museum contains firefighting artifacts from the 1920s. Vintage fire fighting trucks, tools, pictures, and more can be found in the museum so visitors can learn about the history of the building and the subject of firefighting in general. It is a popular place for local schools to take students for field trips. Even though the world's largest working fire hydrant is a neat sight to see, the museum serves to educate visitors with fascinating history as an added bonus.
I'm a short thing.
If you ever get to Beaumont, TX I highly recommend stopping by the museum and fire hydrant. It's a unique experience and completely FREE. The museum doesn't charge admission but you are welcome to leave a donation to help support the services the museum offers. I really loved my trip here and I learned some fascinating history while on a quick road trip.
Have you ever seen a "world's largest" anything?
photo credit: all photos are my own.
