Animation Source Forums

Folks,

While acknowledging that Balto Source is one of the best Balto tribute sites on the internet, and having enjoyed perusing the forums, fictions, art, movie information, etc. myself, I was surprised to note that there is nothing on this site devoted to the actual Great Serum Run ("The Great Race of Mercy") of 1925, and the real dogs and people who were involved. (EDIT: I was corrected on this statement in the post below, and ran a correction in a follow-up post. I just wanted to draw everyone's attention to the fact, and that this statement has been corrected and replied to. I meant no criticism of Steet, at all. He's done a fantastic job on this site overall.)

Almost every other fan site on the internet, which pays tribute to the Balto cartoon movies, has something about the real history...even if it's nothing more than information copied from other websites...or a simple picture of the real Balto.

Being a student of history myself (though not by age...I am an adult), and a living historian on a volunteer basis at historic sites in the eastern U.S., I appreciate and acknowledge the value of the lessons which history can teach us. And, clearly, the dramatic history of the Great Serum Run is full of lessons...of courage, dedication, overcoming adversity, and so on. Plus, it's nice to be able to connect the real events to what we see in the Balto cartoons (well, the first one anyway...since the two sequels are fictional, though I like both of them too!).

I am hoping there will be interest in this. After all, I know I'm not the only one here who knows at least a little about the real history of the Great Serum Run. There are several here who have varying degrees of knowledge about it, and others here who know nothing (but might enjoy learning about it, and might be surprised by what they do learn). But all could benefit, I think. And I have lots of information I'd love to share...including lots of great historic pictures (as I have studied the Great Serum Run at great length, and know a great deal about it...it's one of the reasons why I became a fan of the Balto cartoon movies)! Plus, I am sure such a board would see a fair amount of discussion!

I'd like to ask Steet to allow for a new forum board, with the title "Serum Run History" or "Great Serum Run History", or "The Real History Behind Balto"...something like that. I'd be happy to serve as a board moderator, since I suggested the topic. And would be glad to do so with anyone else who'd volunteer to serve in that capacity (with Steet's approval). I think it'd be just the thing the site needs to bring it new life!

What do you all think? Please respond to the poll (and feel free to post here), and I hope Steet will grant this request...especially after he sees how many people are interested!

(Remember, folks...without the brave sacrifices of twenty Alaskan mushers and their noble and brave dogs, including heroes like the real Balto, Togo and Fritz, there would never have been a Balto cartoon movie. Their sacrifices, and their gallant dedication, deserve to be remembered! ESPECIALLY by those who think that what happened in the first Balto cartoon was what really happened!)

Ah yes. My bad. Steet does mention that one film that was made. And shows a visual comparison between the real Balto and the cartoon Balto. It's a nice item indeed. I stand corrected. Still, when you compare it to Fluke's Ice Cave, I think it isn't much...in terms of the real history aspect anyway. I mean, the way I see it, Steet has much more on his site devoted to the three cartoons...so it's a trade-off. And let me just say that both Steet and Fluke have done amazing jobs with their respective sites! This is not meant to be a criticism of either person or either site!

I took a look through the Balto I board. I found the following topics devoted to any discussion about aspects of the real history...most of which, unfortunately, are nothing more than someone pasting in a link or asking a question about something, and then a whole bunch of "Gee, I didn't know that" or "Wow" kinds of responses...but little else:

"A solution to the mystery of Balto's true breed!"
"Balto an alasken malamute?"
"The Real Balto / Balto Films"
"The identaty of the locomotive from Balto 1"
"Baltos breed?"
"Remembering Balto"
"On this day...."
"Balto magazine page!"
"Anniversery"
"The True Story By Facts"
"Gunnar Kassen"

There's very little real discussion or presenting of facts in most of these. And I know, with a dedicated board, individuals like "Ac" and even myself would be of great help to folks who really wanted to learn stuff.

I don't mean to differ. But I do differ here with you (just in my opinion about this). Just as Steet recently divided the role-play boards into those dedicated to Balto, and other rps, I can't see the harm in creating a board dedicated to just the real history. Perhaps few people talk about it because they don't see historical discussions sandwiched between discussions about the cartoon. Or because they don't even know they're there at all.

A board dedicated to just the real history might draw people in to learn and share. Why don't we wait to see what other members think?

Here's just a very rough sample of some of the historic pics and information I can provide (I know some people already have seen these...and others are seeing these for the first time. The point is, there is more where this came from...and there are other members who have stuff like this, and resources, they could share, and I'm sure they gladly would):


Balto with some American children after the Serum Run


Togo posing for a photo...just after the Serum Run (So just how do you identify Togo from Seppala's other dogs in period photos? Look for Togo's nicked right ear...)


Leonhard Seppala and Fritz (Togo's co-leader on Seppala's team, and his half-brother), on a ship bound for Seattle, WA after the Serum Run (the dogs, amusingly, appear to be fixated on some ice sliding across the pitching deck of the ship)


Gunnar and Mrs. Kaasen with Balto, on a ship bound for Seattle, WA after the Serum Run

Incidentally, you folks can reply if you wish to! I encourage hearing (seeing?) what you have to say!

I think it's a good idea, it'll give Balto fans the chance to talk about the real one instead of just the cartoon one and sometimes people don't think about something until it's brought to their attention and it could spark up peoples imagination for RPs, fan-art, fan-fics, etc. , so I think it's a good idea.

I think it's a very good idea. When I made my forum, I was thinking of doing that same thing. lol.

Thanks guys...I mean, certainly the cartoons are really well-done. To the point where you can feel a CONNECTION to the characters (especially Balto, Jenna, Aleu, Kodi, Nava, and Aniu!), but what most people seem to miss is that the real events of the time, which inspired the first Balto cartoon, are equally-dramatic, and make for some fascinating reading!

How many people here, after all, have heard a little about Togo (from what they could glean from internet writings, or the chatter of other Balto fans), but know anything about the great dog and what he did? And his post-Serum Run history and contributions to what became the Siberian Husky breed (when it was officially recognized)? How many know anything about Leonhard Seppala? Or the other interesting tidbits of history about the rough-and-tumble little town of Nome?

There's plenty worth discussing! And it could also, as Whitewolf said, serve to enhance role-play topics and ideas, and an understanding of what the writers of the Balto cartoon movies were trying to accomplish (in their own Hollywood-ish way...lol).

To my way of thinking, one complements the other. And you can't really say you can appreciate what happened until you know what really happened back then.

I'm not sure : would there be enough topics to make a dedicated section for this? I don't think there are so many things to say about this, that you can't read in a website article.
I guess I will just follow the opinion of the members.

It's a real nice thought, but I don't really agree with it. Maybe a couple of threads here and there will work, but I don't think an entire section will be very suitable.

well I think its a good idea, this all a part of what made the REAL balto who is today, think about it without him, there may not even be a statue of balto in central park. Anyway maybe just his own little small section would be good.

Well, some topics that would work include:

1. A discussion about Balto and Togo and their breed

2. The real history versus what is portrayed in Balto 1

3. Leonhard Seppala and his contributions to the serum run, the Siberian Husky breed, mushing, etc.

4. The All-Alaska Sweepstakes races

5. Nome's history (pre- and post-Great Serum Run)

6. Balto's adventures after the Great Serum Run

7. Why dog sled teams, and not a ship, or train, or bush plane?

8. Togo's history after the Great Serum Run

9. Other dogs of the Serum Run (like Fritz, Fox, etc.)

10. The Balto monuments (yes, monumentS...not only the one in Central Park, NYC, but also in Anchorage, Alaska and the one of he and Togo in the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo in Cleveland, OH)

11. The stuffing and mounting of Balto, Togo and Fritz after each died, and what happened to each.

12. Are there any historical aspects to Balto 2 and Balto 3?

And these are just off the top of my head. I am sure folks could come up with more.

Still, if you prefer, I can just post my stuff in the "Other" board. I just thought it would be nice. And would gain interest. I am pleased that you, Steet, are willing to consider the feelings of the members. That's nice. I mean, I can't honestly say that such a board WOULD be successful or active. It might very well not be. Or it might start off that way, and dry up real quick. It's impossible to know without trying.

There are, after all, other boards which are not very active. But they still are there. Because people do sometimes have things to post in them. Does a board need to have a lot of threads to be successful or viable? I frequent many internet forums...and in each case, some have boards which are extremely active, with lots of topic threads, and some which are extremely active and have less than ten topic threads. And then some forums have boards with either a lot of topic threads, or a few, which are very or relatively inactive...or a mix of all three. So it's a gamble. But it's worth a try, at least in my opinion. And if it doesn't work, you certainly can take the existing threads and move them to another folder.

Still, I won't fight too hard. I will await everyone's decision, and go with it. I just wanted to have a place to discuss this stuff, and share. So far, to my knowledge, there is NO dedicated place for people to discuss the Serum Run (and I have seen MANY websites devoted to it and/or to the cartoons). What a coup it would be for Balto Source to be among the first to have such a place! And if people talk about it on other internet forums and communities, it might even draw in new members who might not otherwise have visited! And there can't be anything bad about that!

In the end, while I am doing this partly because I would like to have a place where I could discuss the real history with others interested in Balto, including well-informed people like "Ac", I am also, truly, doing this for the real Balto, Togo, Fritz, Leonhard Seppala, Gunnar Kaasen, the other mushers and dogs, Dr. Curtis Welch, and the many citizens of Nome. Their story needs to be discussed, shared and remembered. And I can think of few better places to start than sharing on a forum like this...where most of the members are teenagers and college students, who are primed for learning something of value...no matter their nationality. Nationality is irrelevant in this case...the true story resounds across many cultures and nations, and rightly so.

For me, while I freely and proudly admit to being a fan of the three Balto cartoons, I have an abiding respect and admiration for (and love of) the real history of the Great Serum Run. As I have said. When I think of those times, I think not of how cool it would be to meet Balto as portrayed in the cartoon (though, admittedly, that would be cool too!), or Jenna, or Steele, or the others. Nope. I think of Nome as it existed in 1925. I can envision myself standing on the beach, looking out over Norton Sound...hearing the waves wash onto the beach. Feeling the cold breeze hit my face. Seeing the sun set low on the western horizon. Looking up at old St. Joseph's church (which is one of the few historic buildings of Nome portrayed in the cartoons, and one of the few STILL standing in Nome) and being impressed by its architecture, and how it once administered to nearly 20,000 souls, eager to strike it rich on panned gold. Walking the pathways once trod by Leonhard Seppala and Gunnar Kaasen, and played upon by Balto, Togo and Fritz...and hearing the frozen grass and weeds of the Alaskan tundra crunch beneath my feet. Looking at the town of Nome and imagining what it still looked like back in '25. Of being in Nome at the right time of year to be able to see a sled dog team come running into town. I feel an almost overwhelming urge to visit and experience these things, as the real history (and the fictional cartoon version) has touched my soul in ways I didn't expect.

Thankfully, due to my personal finances, such an experience is not beyond my reach. It is just down the road a bit...as traveling to Nome or anywhere else in "bush" Alaska, from the U.S. (much less another country) is EXPENSIVE (because the only game in town, apparently, is Alaska Airlines). Within the next year, I WILL be enjoying a fulfilling visit to Nome and the surrounding vicinity...and plan to take LOTS of pictures and probably video too. Heh heh. The fulfillment of a dream for sure!

Need I explain more why I would love to have the opportunity available on this site? Certainly I'D be an active contributor!

Hey Tibb! Well, if it doesn't work out, I'd be very happy to share the information with you by e-mail or in another forum. Of course, it seems so far that the majority would prefer the forum here! But if Steet determines that it isn't viable, then I will have to seek out another means of sharing that information. Perhaps a website of my own devoted primarily to the real history...and then a smaller section devoted to the Balto cartoons (wouldn't that be a different approach from the run of the mill? LOL!)

I'm always glad to help, and to share information...and I don't feel at all proprietary about it. If it helps educate and enlighten, and dispel misconceptions and mistaken beliefs, then I'm all for it!