We’re going over the pond to Central Park, New York, where you’ll find a statue in honour of Balto, a national canine hero
(main image: Carla Globetrotter/Shutterstock.com)
We’re pleased to bring you the Your Dog Tourist Guide, a trip across both the UK and the world to find our favourite dog-associated tourist hotspots.
We’re in Manhattan. The Big Apple. In fact, we’re in the iconic Central Park, which plays host to the statue of a courageous but relatively unknown, canine hero.
In 1925, the town of Nome, Alaska, was hit by a diphtheria epidemic and unable to receive the necessary supply of antitoxin serum due to harsh winter weather conditions. The only mode of transport to and from the town was by dog sled.
Authorities developed a relay system using 20 dog sleds to cover the 674-mile journey from Fairbanks to Nome. The journey took six days as both mushers and dogs struggled against high winds and temperatures lower than -30 degrees Celsius. Balto, a sled dog mix of Siberian Husky, Malamute, and wolf, led the sled and its driver, Gunnar Kaasen, on the final 55-mile leg of the journey, arriving with the antitoxin on 2 February, 1925. The journey had been treacherous, with the sled flipping over, nearly losing the serum, and visibility being so poor that at times Kaasen could barely see the dogs harnessed closest to the sled. As the lead dog, Balto’s efforts on the final leg made him a national hero and the focal point of the life-saving story.
The fame of Balto and the dogs saw a motion picture about their story, a tour of the country on the Vaudeville circuit, and a statue of Balto in Central Park. The bronze statue of Balto was sculpted by Frederick Roth, and dedicated in 1925, with the sled dog himself reportedly at the opening. It’s a popular attraction in the park, a century later.
After their heroics, Kaasen had a falling out with Balto’s owner, and fellow musher, Leonhard Seppala. The dogs were sold in disputed circumstances and were placed in a dime museum, where strange exhibits were popular, and the dogs lived in poor conditions. Thankfully, when the news got out about their struggles, the public helped fund a move to Cleveland to live in a zoo. Here, they were treated as the heroes they truly were.
Balto passed away in March 1933, at the age of 14. His body was stuffed, mounted, and presented to the Cleveland Museum of Natural History where it remains today. Visitors can learn all about Balto’s story and how local people helped save the sled dogs from squalor.
In 1995, a Universal Pictures animated film Balto, starring Kevin Bacon, Bridget Fonda, and Phil Collins, was released, with the story loosely based on the sled dogs’ story. Bacon played the voice of Balto and in 2022 posted a video on his social media of himself walking through Central Park and discovering the statue. He titled it ‘Ran into an old friend of mine in the park.’
While Balto will forever remain a hero, there has been a revisiting of how the story is portrayed, with other dogs receiving similar credit. Another dog, Togo, led the relay for the longest time, and supposedly in the worst conditions. Operating for musher, Leonhard Seppala, Togo covered over 200 miles. Togo’s efforts have since been recognised with a statue in Seward Park, and in the Disney+ movie, Togo. Time Magazine also named Togo as the most heroic animal in 2011.
FAQs
Where is the statue?
Balto’s statue sits in the southeast corner of Central Park and is most accessible from Fifth Avenue. From another entrance point into the park, the statue can be found by following East Drive from the south.
How can I get there?
New York is famed for its public transport system, making it one of the most accessible cities in the world. There are multiple subway stops in close proximity to Balto’s statue, including Fifth Avenue/59th Street and 68th Street – Hunter College. Both subway stops are then a short walk into the park. Bus stops are even closer. The most convenient being Fifth Avenue/East 66th Street and Avenue/East 67th Street.
How much does it cost?
Central Park, and its picturesque paths, are free to access, meaning the statue is free
to enjoy.
When will it be busy?
Like all tourist spots in New York, it is best to avoid peak times. Given the size and popularity of New York, these are few and far between. It is best to visit early in the morning, on weekdays if possible, when the park is likely to be the most quiet.