Wonalancet in Carroll County, New Hampshire — The American Northeast (New England)

Chinook Kennels

Photographed By Ron and Monica Charpentier, May 20, 2016

1. Chinook Kennels Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Purchased and moved to this site in 1930 by Milton and Eva B. "Short" Seeley, these kennels produced sled dogs for exploration, racing, and showing. For almost 50 years Chinook Kennels exerted a profound influence upon the Alaskan Malamute and Siberian Husky breeds, and many champions were born here. With Milton directing, dog teams were sent on the Byrd Antarctic Expeditions and to the Army's Search and Rescue units. After his death in 1943, Eva continued alone. An author, sled dog racer, and dynamic contributor to the sport of dogsledding, "Short" was named to the Mushers' Hall of Fame in Alaska. Mrs. Seeley died in 1985 at age 94.

Erected 1988. (Marker Number 155.)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Animals • Exploration.

Location. 43° 54.514′ N, 71° 19.663′ W. Marker is near Wonalancet, New Hampshire, in Carroll County. Marker is on Chinook Trail (New Hampshire Route 113A). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Tamworth NH 03886, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 10 miles of this marker, measured

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as the crow flies. The Chocorua Legend (approx. 4.6 miles away); In Memory of Those Who Served (approx. 4.7 miles away); First Summer Playhouse (approx. 4.7 miles away); How Sabbaday Falls Got Its Name (approx. 6.9 miles away); By Foot and Horseback, Stagecoach and Car (approx. 6.9 miles away); Cart Roads and Wagon Paths Connect a Community (approx. 8 miles away); How the Covered Bridge was Built (approx. 8 miles away); Granville Homestead (approx. 9.1 miles away).

Regarding Chinook Kennels. The Chinook Trail is named after Arthur Walden's dog Chinook who died in Antarctica on Admiral Richard Byrd's first trip to the South Pole in the 1920's. It was desired to name the road after Walden, but he declined and said to name it after his dog. He lived in Wonalancet before he sold the kennels to the Seeleys and they moved the kennels to Tamworth. The Chinook breed is one of the rarest in the world and is now the official dog breed of the State of New Hampshire.

Also see . . . History of The Chinook Trail. This link gives you directions to the site as well as some historical background about the Chinook Trail and the Chinook Kennels. (Submitted on July 13, 2016, by Ron and Monica Charpentier of Hooksett, New Hampshire.)

Additional commentary.

Chinook Kennels Buildings, near the marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ron and Monica Charpentier, May 20, 2016

2. Chinook Kennels Buildings, near the marker

1. Arthur Walden and Chinook
We first read about Chinook Kennels in an article written by Sarah M. Earle in a book entitled “The New Hampshire Century” which was published in 2001 by The Concord Monitor, ISBN 1-58465-087-7. We had to seek it out on our recent trip to the area. There is more history about Arthur Walden and Chinook before the Seeleys’ ownership of the breed than is memorialized here. If this is of interest to you, please research it further. Admiral Byrd writes about Chinook in his book, "Little America: Aerial Exploration in the Antarctic The Flight to the South Pole" (1930).

— Submitted July 13, 2016, by Ron and Monica Charpentier of Hooksett, New Hampshire.

Additional keywords. Admiral Byrd; Little America; Antarctica; Sleddogs; Arthur Walden

Chinook Kennels Sign image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ron and Monica Charpentier, May 20, 2016

3. Chinook Kennels Sign

Chinook Trail Sign on Route 113A image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ron and Monica Charpentier, May 20, 2016

4. Chinook Trail Sign on Route 113A

Note the dog pictured on these road signs is Chinook, Walden's lead sled dog and the namesake of the road.

Dog Sled Engraving near the Chinook Kennels Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ron and Monica Charpentier, May 20, 2016

5. Dog Sled Engraving near the Chinook Kennels Marker

Marker dedicated by Admiral Byrd: image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Ron and Monica Charpentier, May 20, 2016

6. Marker dedicated by Admiral Byrd:

Admiral Byrd Memorial to All Noble Dogs whose lives were given on dog treks during the two expeditions to Little America, Antarctica to further science and discovery. 1928-1930 1933-1935
Dedicated October 8, 1938

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 13, 2016, by Ron and Monica Charpentier of Hooksett, New Hampshire. This page has been viewed 1,456 times since then and 715 times this year. Last updated on July 14, 2016, by Ron and Monica Charpentier of Hooksett, New Hampshire. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on July 13, 2016, by Ron and Monica Charpentier of Hooksett, New Hampshire. • Kevin W. was the editor who published this page.