Presented by Ark-Valley Humane Society
Saturday May 20th, 2023
Stay tuned for more details!
Stay tuned for more details!
Are you a business interested in sponsoring this year’s Tail’s on the Trail? Fill out an application here
A brief history on Loyal Duke, a loved dog who inspired this race
This information was provided by Friends of Loyal Duke
In 1889, an American Water Spaniel named Duke made the Salida train depot his office; meeting and greeting the trains coming through. Duke would visit around town as well as wander up Tenderfoot Hill with visitors. Duke was adopted by the manager of the Hotel Monte Cristo, which sat right between the narrow-gauge tracks and the river. At the opera, the residents would let Duke in the back door and he’d take naps behind the curtain. He would go to dances, plays, and when he was young, he would even chase home run balls at the baseball games. Duke was Salida’s ambassador for 13 years; welcoming visitors and accompanying the locals. Loyal Duke passed away on October 2, 1902. His loyalty to the town earned him the name we remember him by now – Loyal Duke.