Imagine encountering a Megalosaurus waddling up Holborn Hill. That’s how Charles Dickens described London’s muddy streets in his novel Bleak House. Today we are not in Holborn. We are standing before the Dinosaur Statue in Crystal Palace Park.
These aren’t just any dinosaur statues. The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs were the world’s first full-scale dinosaur reconstructions. They marked the beginning of “Dinomania”. The sculptures are located in Crystal Palace Park within the London Borough of Bromley.
Commissioned in 1852 they were unveiled in 1854. Natural history artist Benjamin Waterhouse Hawkins created these sculptures. He sought scientific direction from Sir Richard Owen. Owen was a celebrated anatomist and palaeontologist.
These models represent 15 genera of extinct animals. Surprisingly only three are actual dinosaurs. They include Iguanodon, Hylaeosaurus and Megalosaurus. The others include ichthyosaurs, plesiosaurs, and various mammals.
Originally the models were arranged on three islands. These islands represented the Palaeozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic eras. The water levels would rise and fall. This revealed different amounts of the dinosaurs.
To celebrate the launch Hawkins held a dinner inside an Iguanodon model. It was New Year’s Eve 1853. What a party that must have been.
The Crystal Palace Dinosaurs quickly gained popularity. Small versions of the dinosaur models were sold for educational purposes. A set cost 30 pounds.
But building these giants was expensive. In 1855 funding was cut short. Some planned models were never made.
Over time the models’ reputation declined. Science marched on. American fossil hunter Othniel Charles Marsh criticized them. He said the models did the dinosaurs a great injustice.
Years passed. The Crystal Palace burned down in 1936. The models fell into disrepair. Overgrown foliage hid them from view.
A full restoration happened in 1952. Victor H.C. Martin led the project. The mammals were moved and suffered wear and tear. The limestone cliff was blown up in the 1960s.
Another renovation occurred in 2001. The limestone cliff was rebuilt. Missing sculptures were replaced with fibreglass replicas. Damaged parts were recast.
In 2018 the Friends of Crystal Palace Dinosaurs launched a crowdfunding campaign. Guitarist Slash endorsed it. The goal was to build a permanent bridge to Dinosaur Island.
The bridge was installed in January 2021. It swings on a pivot. This prevents unauthorized access.
In May 2021 the Megalosaurus got an emergency renovation. Its nose and mouth had fallen off. Twenty-two new teeth and a prosthetic jaw were installed.
These Crystal Palace Dinosaurs are more than just statues. They represent our evolving understanding of prehistoric life. They show us how far palaeontology has come. These dinosaurs stand as a testament to Victorian curiosity and ambition. They continue to inspire wonder in visitors of all ages.