Is there a Balto statue in Alaska?

Arguably the most popular statue in the Park is of Balto, the famed Alaskan sled dog that battled blizzard conditions to deliver medicine to children in Nome, Alaska. Like many statues in the Park, this bronze sculpture has a fascinating background story.

Why is there a Balto statue in New York?

New York dog lovers raised money to honor the Alaskan malamute that led a sled dog team in the delivery of diptheria antitoxins to the citizens of Nome, Alaska in 1924. The statue, sculpted by Frederick George Richard Roght, was dedicated in December 1925.

What does the Balto statue say?

There is a plaque at the base of the statue, which reads: “Dedicated to the indomitable spirit of the sled dogs that relayed antitoxin six hundred miles over rough ice, across treacherous waters, through Arctic blizzards from Nenana to the relief of stricken Nome in the Winter of 1925.

Is Togo inspired by Balto?

Though Balto often gets the credit for saving the town of Nome, it was Togo, a Siberian Husky, who led his team across the most dangerous leg of the journey. Named after Heihachiro Togo, a Japanese Admiral who fought in the war between Russia and Japan (1904-05), Togo was the lead sled dog of Leonhard Seppala.

Is Balto a true story?

The movie “Balto” is advertised as being based on the true story of a sled dog who brought a life-saving vaccine to Alaska in the early ’20s. The cutest dog was selected to lead and was given the catchy name Balto. After what was more a grim ordeal than heroic adventure, the medicine arrived in Nome.

Is there a statue of Togo?

Fortunately, Togo now does have his own NYC statue in Seward Park on the Lower East Side. Also, statues of Balto and Togo can be found at the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo.

Is Balto and Togo the same movie?

The 1995 movie Balto immortalized it for a generation: the eponymous dog rallied the team that brought the lifesaving serum through the Alaskan wilds, heroically saving the city’s children. But Togo, a new movie that hits the Disney+ platform on December 20, corrects the historical record in favor of an underdog.

Why did Balto get all the credit instead of Togo?

Balto received the credit, as lead dog. Balto was an amazing husky and did an amazing job, but Balto did not run the length of difficult terrain, in the horrendous conditions, or cover as much danger and ice during the Serum Run, as Togo had.

Where is the statue of Balto in New York City?

A statue of Balto, sculpted by Frederick Roth, was erected in New York City ‘s Central Park on December 17, 1925, ten months after Balto’s arrival in Nome. Balto himself was present for the monument’s unveiling. The statue is located on the main path leading north from the Tisch Children’s Zoo.

Where is Balto the sled dog statue in Nome?

The hero is Balto the sled dog who has nobly stood on a rock outcropping since 1925. His statue, a big favorite in the Park, is located west of East Drive and 67th Street and north of the Zoo. Back in 1925 Nome, Alaska was stricken with a horrific diphtheria outbreak.

Who is the real Balto in Central Park?

The real Balto, along with his musher Gunnar Kaasen, attended the ceremony, making Balto the only Central Park statue to have its honoree present at the unveiling. Spot more than 70 species of trees on this beautiful walk up the east side.

Why did Balto do the serum run to Nome?

He achieved fame when he reportedly led a team of sled dogs on the final leg of the 1925 serum run to Nome, in which diphtheria antitoxin was transported from Anchorage, Alaska, to Nenana, Alaska, by train and then to Nome by dog sled to combat an outbreak of the disease.