History & local legend
Morley's Dog is one of Johnstown's most recognizable figures, but the famous animal was a cast-iron lawn ornament. James Morley bought it in 1870 and placed it outside his home. During the flood of May 31, 1889, the water carried the statue to the Stone Bridge, where it was found among the wreckage and eventually returned to the family.
The dog later acquired a rescue legend. In Slap Shot, filmed in Johnstown in 1976, Paul Newman's character points to it and says it saved someone during a flood. That movie story helped give the statue a reputation as a canine hero, although the object itself had been swept away.
After moving through several family properties, the original was donated to the city in 1944. A replica now stands at Main and Market Streets.
