Darcy Has a Crush on the Balto Statue in Central Park
November 5, 2010 Adventures of Darcy the Yorkie
I caught the last nice weekend in NYC before the cold wind reminding that winter is near started to pick up. Darcy has been begging to see the Balto statue and now that he is walking on a leash I wanted to take him to the only nature NYC knows, Central Park. I hiked him through the paths and fallen leaves crossing over to the east side of the park where the Alaskan Malamute sled dog has been immortalized in bronze.
This plaque inserted into the large boulder that Balto guards is dedicated to the sled dogs. This honor is much deserved since Balto was the sled dog that lead a team through Alaska during a 1925 outbreak of Diphtheria that threatened many people, especially the young, in Nome, Alaska. The city was cut off from the medicine that was located in Anchorage and the only way to get it to them was by a dog sled team and musher.
In blizzard conditions, Balto’s dog team and Gunnar Kasson raced into the town, delivering the life-saving serum and in days the epidemic was over. I took Darcy to the top of the bolder to see the statue up close and he looked on longingly, “my hero!”
Brooklyn sculptor Frederick George Richard Roth received the commission to create the statue, which was awarded the 1925 Speyer Prize by the National Academy of Design. It was erected in Central Park on December 17, 1925 and it is said that Balto himself was present for the monument’s unveiling.
This number gives an audio guide and description of the statue. You can even call it now from your phone if you want! (But make sure you’re in the area or your phone bill might be angry).
I couldn’t resist getting a picture of these cute kids! (Apparently neither could this couple in front of me).
©2010 Danee Gilmartin All rights reserved
Comments
barbara 01.23.2012
I was just wondering about the dates. I know the outbreak took place in 1925 but the statue was placed in central park in the same year?
Just wondered if that was correct
MuseumChick 01.23.2012
Hi Barbara- According to the Central Park website, yes. It says, ‘Roth, whose other work at Park includes Tales of Mother Goose and Dancing Goat and Dancing Bear, unveiled the statue on December 16, 1925.” Seems quick that they would think to do it the same year but I suppose they did.
Shawn 01.9.2011
Balto was a Siberian Husky, not an Alaskan Malamute. The statue is just alot larger than a husky grows. Siberians were used for the serum run because they are alot faster than Malamutes. A malamutes ears are on the sides of the head not the top like a husky, the mals body is alot heavier, larger, the head is broad, and heavy built. A mals tail is many times carried curled tightly over the back hanging over one side, a huskies tail curls high over the back in comparison.
MuseumChick 01.10.2011
Hi Shawn, thanks for your comment and info. Seems you know a lot about dog breeds. I do not study dog breeds and have read a few conflicting reports about Balto's breed. So, thank you for your input.