BALTO'S TRUE STORY

History of the 1925 Nome Serum Run

Welcome to Balto's True Story!

This site is devoted to the real history of the 1925 Nome Serum Run, the famous dog sled relay which brought initial relief to the citizens of Nome, Alaska, who were being struck down by a diphtheria epidemic in late 1924 and early 1925.  The heroic efforts of 20 dog sled mushers and 150 dogs (including Balto and Togo, who became famous as a result of their part in the run) deserve to be remembered and honored!

The site is titled "Balto's True Story"; however, I chose that name because, for better or for worse, it's Balto with whom people associate anything regarding the serum run.  This site is NOT just about Balto!  It's about the overall history of the serum run and its participants.  All the same, this site has nothing whatsoever to do with the three Balto cartoon movies produced by Universal Pictures and Amblimation (Amblin Entertainment).  There are already more than enough sites and forums dedicated to them.  This is a place to learn what really happened back in Alaska in 1925!

You may find any updates, letting you know the progress of the development of this site, by clicking here.  Please note that there will be regular updates and changes to the site!  Please keep checking back!  And do enjoy your stay!

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UPDATES, UPDATES, UPDATES!

(01/28/09)  I've added a "News" page for the benefit of visitors to this site, so they can be kept abreast of important goings-on related to this site, the serum run history, etc.  Please have a look!

(01/19/09)  I've finally done it!  Yes!  Heh...I've FINALLY completed the feature on Fritz, Togo's half-brother and co-leader on Leonhard Seppala's serum run team.  And it was long overdue.  The ol' fellow deserves this recognition and then some.  Please have a look (it's in the navigation menu at left).

I've also completed an article which presents you with every monument, statue and taxidermy mount which was ever completed to honor the serum run and/or one or more of its participants!  This has not been easy to research, and there is more information I have to follow up on it, but it is essentially complete.  You'll find the link to that article on the navigation menu also.  Enjoy!

I tweaked the site a bit too...added some new photos, and have plans to add MANY more from my library!  Also, please be on the lookout for another upcoming article here, where I will review all the books that have been published about the serum run and one or more of its participants (at least all of those currently in print or circulation, and a couple currently out of print).  This will be very helpful to you researchers and school teachers!

What's even more interesting and exciting for me is that I've been invited, by New York City radio personalities Art and Susan Zuckerman, to be interviewed on their ZTravel & Leisure show!  This is a substantial honor for me, and I can't wait to talk with them and do this interview!  The Zuckermans found this site while researching information pertaining to Balto, as they are writing a chapter in an upcoming book about the Balto statue and musher/sled dog monument in Central Park.  The interview is, at this time, slated for February 2nd.  The show runs at 8:00 P.M. Eastern Time every Monday night.  Now, if the date of the interview changes, I'll post it here.  But you can listen live by following the navigation menu on their site! 

I knew, eventually, that this site would receive some noteworthy attention!  I feel very proud and humbled by this! 

BaltoSeppala
Webmaster

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So what about the forum?  Why should you visit and register?  Well, firstly, you don't have to.  But rest assured, you don't know what you're missing!  There are some great discussions taking place there!  You'll also find:
  • Great historical pictures of Nome, its citizens, and of life in and around Nome (and Alaska) in the early 1900s!
  • More great historical pictures of Leonhard Seppala, Gunnar Kaasen, Balto, Togo, Fritz (Togo's half-brother, and a member of Leonhard Seppala's serum run team) and others!
  • Historical information about Nome, Alaska and the serum run.
  • Fan fiction writings, fan art, and fan videos (YouTube, etc.)!
  • A live-chat "shoutbox", where you can talk in real time with other forum members who are signed in at the moment!

So please do consider signing up on the forum as a member! You're always welcome!

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This site is still under development, so please check back from time to time to see how things are coming along!  There will be a lot for those who are interested in the real history of the 1925 Nome Serum Run, and its more famous canine and human participants.  The site will include discussion forums, a chat room, a place for artists to post artwork related to the subject matter, for writers to post fictional stories of their own design, and much more!

(NOTE: I am a person who believes in making certain that what I post on this site is true to the real history.  I know there have been visitors here who are well-versed in the history of Nome and the serum run.  As always, I welcome constructive criticism and, if necessary, contacts about any corrections which may need to be made in what has been presented.  Please do not be afraid to contact me and discuss those things if you see anything like that!)

Thanks!

Earl J. Aversano
BaltoSeppala, Webmaster (e-mail: therealbalto@yahoo.com)


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