by Brighty the Burro’s legacy has only grown more legendary.
The lone, somewhat domesticated burro gained notoriety at the turn of the 20th century among Grand Canyon pioneers for paving a path across the stony landscape prior to the formation’s designation as a national park.
Brighty’s independent spirit became a legend in the Southwest, and his travels paved a route for people to follow from the top of the canyon to the bottom.
His place in American legend was further solidified in 1953 with the publication of Brighty of the Grand Canyon, a children’s book about his adventures that featured his encounters with President Theodore Roosevelt.
And now, a bronze statue of Brighty, which has come to represent his adventures, has survived a journey of its own by surviving the Dragon Bravo fire, which has destroyed Grand Canyon National Park and numerous buildings since July 4. One of these buildings is the Grand Canyon Lodge, where Brighty welcomed guests for almost 60 years.
A picture of the 600-pound bronze monument secured in a pickup truck’s bed was posted by the National Park Service on Thursday.
Although he was largely unharmed, he was worse for wear, losing two front legs and an ear. His dazzling gold nose was dyed a dark charcoal, and his whole body was burned.
His survival, however, was good news to the thousands of tourists who had massaged his nose for luck.
In a phone conversation, Gary Gilmore, a Pittsburgh resident and four-time visitor to the canyon, stated that it is a relief that a portion of the North Rim has been preserved. It’s tragic that so much of it was destroyed. However, some fragments have been preserved, which is something to cherish.
According to the park’s social media posts, Brighty, who was erected in 1967 and was made by artist Peter Jepsen, was saved from the fire and taken to the museum collections of Grand Canyon National Park in the South Rim, around four hours away from his residence in the North Rim.
To decide whether he can be restored or needs to be replaced, museum experts will evaluate his condition.
The park stated on social media that Brighty’s history as a North Rim landmark will endure regardless of the restoration decision, but they did not reply to a request for comment on Saturday.
In 1989, Mr. Gilmore, 70, paid Brighty his first visit in the Grand Canyon Lodge solarium. He claimed that although his son Daniel was a baby on the first visit, he was totally captivated by the burro on his second trip in 1990.
Daniel pleaded with his grandparents to take him to see Brighty on that trip while his parents hiked.
According to Mr. Gilmore, his family was relieved to learn of the monument’s rescue, and he has regularly checked social media for updates on the piece.
Janice, Mr. Gilmore’s wife, stated that he symbolizes the heart, soul, and free spirit required to explore the canyon.
Robin Cornwell, 64, read Marguerite Henry’s children’s book about the burro to her son after growing up and loving it. She went to see Brighty’s statue when visiting the Grand Canyon some fifteen years ago.
Ms. Cornwell thought of Brighty as soon as she learned that the fire, which has scorched over 144,000 acres in Arizona so far, was threatening the lodge. When she realized the burro was safe, she was moved.
When the fire is contained, Ms. Cornwell hopes the park will be able to return the monument.
According to Ms. Cornwell, a resident of Stillwater, Oklahoma, the soul of a character such as Brighty remains in a location. Allow him to be seen and serve as a representation of the fire and the Brighty tale.
