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.
Wow its really nice photography in the place and good article.....dear @marxrab....
Upvote Resteem DoneThank you!
wow excellent photos. It should be fun to go through the states and find all those peculiar attractions. I support you with a positive vote, if you do the same for me, I would appreciate it. thanks
It is fun to go to tourist attractions like this. One of my favorite things to do is visit odd spots along the highway.
@marxrab really really cool pictures, specially the fire hydrant, keep them coming! God Bless Us all.
Thanks for stopping by!
big dogs go crazy about it!!! :)
I know! I'd love to take a dog there to see if they pass out from excitement seeing a hydrant so big.
Good to know that they still preserve and improve its beauty :)
I know. That's very important to preserve.
That is so cool and huge especially with a person by it
No I don’t think I have seen a biggest anything like this
I've also seen the world's largest pheasant by accident. Accidentally stumbled upon it traveling through South Dakota. I highly recommend some world's largest spots. They are pretty entertaining.
I must see if there is any world largest things around here
Wow! That is huge!
It is huge! Really neat to see in person.
This fire hydrant will be convenient when we all become gigantic in the very near future.
I can't believe you actually released another picture of yourself.
That museum sounds pretty cool.
I'm told giants roamed the earth once. I suppose we could evolve to be giants again. Be kinda nice to be tall seeing I've lived a petite life. Don't be surprised if that picture disappears around day 6. :)
Wow!
Yeah sure! I have seen the worlds largest Christmas tree in Nigeria two Christmas ago.
Still amazed at this beautiful sights you just shared.
Since admission is FREE,I would stop by when next I'm around to see this things you have talked about for myself.
Quite an educative post. Thanks for sharing @marxrab
That sounds really neat. I didn't know there was a worlds largest Christmas tree. Thanks for the nice comment.
This is so cool
It is really cool! It was fun to see.
What this company has done is truly remarkable. It deserves the leadership of its beautiful work. What you do is one of the most important necessities of life.
I think it keeps people learning first aid and dealing with crises. It is a culture that human beings must learn. I hope to be included in education so that people know how to deal with it.
The pine fire is the greatest achievement. Thank you dear @marxrab for providing us with information about it.
Thanks for the comment and for stopping by.
Welcome dear @marxrab
Why does anyone need a fire hydrant that large? Well, where do you think Clifford, the Big Red Dog, goes when he's got to lift a leg?
Something tells me that one doesn't follow the state's color coding system...
I forgot about Clifford! Haven't thought of that dog in years. I'm glad to see non-conformist colors on it. Life needs bright colors.
I saw a video once about fire hydrants. I know... exciting! The colors aren't uniform between states, but usually have meaning, like amount of pressure, or location on the water line. Totally irrelevant, but fun trivia fact!
I enjoyed reading about this huge fire hydrant. I think it is a great idea that unique constructions like this are not abandoned or appreciated post film. Australia has quite a few Large items .......not sure if they are the worlds largest, We have the big Pineapple, Banana, Lobster , Merino .....actually I've just checked and the list is endless. I'll be visiting Coffs Harbour in a few weeks, so I will have to write about the Big Banana on my return.