Tag Archives: Togo

Leonhard Seppala House

Posted on May 11, 2020 by Helen Hegener

The Leonhard Seppala House was named as one of the Ten Most Endangered Historic Properties for 2020 by the Alaska Association for Historic Preservation, Inc., which is dedicated to the preservation of Alaska’s prehistoric and historic resources through education, promotion and advocacy. Preservation of the built environment provides a vital link and visible reminder of the past, emphasizing the continuity and diversity of Alaska. Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Gold Rush History, News & Information, Sled Dog History, Sled Dog Races | Tagged Balto, Fritz, Leonhard Seppala, Nome, Seppala House, Togo | 1 Comment

Togo’s Serum Run

Posted on April 18, 2020 by Helen Hegener

As the worldwide fight against the coronavirus goes on we are reminded almost daily that pandemics and epidemics have happened before, and we have struggled through them with far fewer resources and much less medical and scientific knowledge than we have now. That is a very real comfort, and lends a bit of perspective to what we are facing. One such epidemic was a deadly diphtheria outbreak which raged across Alaska almost 100 years ago. Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, News & Information, Sled Dog History | Tagged Bering Sea, Bluff Roadhouse, Dexter Roadhouse, diphtheria, Dr. Curtis Welch, Elizabeth Ricker, Golovin, Governor Bone, Iditarod Trail, Isaac's Point, Kaltag, Leonhard Seppala, Manley Roadhouse, Minto Roadhouse, Nenana, Nome, Nulato, Olson Roadhouse, Port Safety Roadhouse, Scott Bone, Seppala, Serum Run, Shaktoolik, Siberian huskies, Solomon Roadhouse, The Cruelest Miles, Togo, Tolovana Roadhouse, Unalakleet, Unlakleet | 1 Comment

Sled Dog Movies

Posted on December 7, 2019 by Helen Hegener

Last year, 2018, was noted by the Chinese calendar’s zodiac as being the Year of the Dog, but this year, 2019, seems to be the Year of the Sled Dog, as film after film featuring heroic sled dogs is released to movie theaters and home streaming services. There are two movies about the great Serum Run to Nome during the 1925 diphtheria epidemic, one focusing on the champion musher Leonhard Seppala, and the other on his favorite lead dog, Togo. One is an independent production, the other is from the powerhouse film company Disney Studios, but both are absorbing stories, beautifully filmed. Another champion musher, the sprint racing legend George Attla, is the subject of a new PBS documentary, and one of the greatest dog stories of all time is brought to life by a great film legend, Harrison Ford. Pass the popcorn! Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, DVD & Video, Movies, News & Information, Sled Dog History, Sled Dog Races, Videos | Tagged Attla, Brian Presley, Disney, George Attla, Harrison Ford, Huslia, Joe Bifelt, Leonhard Seppala, Nenana, Nome, Serum Run, Siberian huskies, sled dogs, The Call of the Wild, The Great Alaskan Race, Togo | Leave a comment

All Alaska Sweepstakes

Posted on December 13, 2018 by Helen Hegener

The historic All Alaska Sweepstakes is the oldest organized distance sled dog race in the world, with records kept by the Nome Kennel Club dating back to the first race in 1908. The race, which was held from 1908 to 1917, and commemorated with 75th and 100th anniversary races in 1983 and 2008, is the subject of All Alaska Sweepstakes: History of the Great Sled Dog Race, by Helen Hegener. Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Book Reviews, Books, Gold Rush History, Sled Dog History, Sled Dog Races | Tagged Aaron Burmeister, All Alaska Sweepstakes, Baldy, Candle, Jan DeNapoli, Janice Doherty, Jeff King, Jodi Bailey, Joe May, John "Iron Man" Johnson, Jon Van Zyle, Lance Mackey, Leonhard Seppala, Mitch Seavey, Nome, Nome Kennel Club, Percy Blatchford, Scotty Allan, Togo | Leave a comment

Icebound

Posted on November 6, 2018 by Helen Hegener

The documentary ‘Icebound’ is the story of the 1925 Serum Run, a heroic testament to the human spirit, and to the dogs of the far north. But beyond the legend lies a complex tale, filled with irony, tragedy, and myth. Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Alaska Railroad, Sled Dog History | Tagged Daniel Anker, diphtheria, dog teams, epidemic, Icebound, Leonhard Seppala, Nenana, Nome, Serum Run, sled dogs, Togo, Wild Bill Shannon | Leave a comment

Leonard Seppala House

Posted on June 9, 2018 by Helen Hegener

The Leonhard Seppala House Restoration Project is an effort to save what many believe to be a key piece of Alaskan history, the home of a legendary musher, three-time champion of the All Alaska Sweepstakes, who played a central role … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, News & Information, Sled Dog History | Tagged HABS, Iditarod Trail, Jon Van Zyle, Leonhard Seppala, Nome, Nome Nugget, Seppala House, Serum Run, Togo, Urtha Lenharr | Leave a comment

Great Trail Dogs

Posted on March 13, 2017 by Helen Hegener

“For years, with great dogs, I toiled and often with them was in great perils. Much of my work was accomplished by their aid. So I believe in dogs, and here in this book I have written of some of … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History | Tagged Alaska, “Iron Man” Johnson, Baldy, Balto, BLM Alaska, Fritz, Helen Hegener, Iditarod Trail, Kolyma, Leonhard Seppala, Mary Joyce, mushing, Northern Light Media, Rembrandt, Scotty Allan, Serum Run, sled dogs, Slim Williams, Togo, Wolf | Leave a comment

Icebound

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Helen Hegener

“On January 28, 1925, newspapers and radio stations broke a terrifying story — diphtheria had broken out in Nome, Alaska, separated from the rest of the world for seven months by a frozen ocean. With aviation still in its infancy … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, DVD & Video, Uncategorized | Tagged Alaska, Balto, Daniel Anker, diphtheria, Gunnar Kaasen, Helen Hegener, Icebound, Leonhard Seppala, Megan Edge, mushing, Nome, Northern Light Media, Serum Run, sled dogs, Togo | Leave a comment

Along Alaskan Trails

Posted on December 28, 2015 by Helen Hegener

Along Alaskan Trails, Adventures in Sled Dog History, by Helen Hegener, is a collection of true stories about Alaskan sled dogs and the role they played in the development of the north, with dozens of historic photos from the archives … Continue reading →

Posted in Alaska History, Books | Tagged Alaska, Alaskan Roadhouses, All Alaska Sweepstakes, “Iron Man” Johnson, Baldy, Balto, Chester Noongwook, Chinook, Emiu, Ernest de Koven Leffingwell, Fritz, Helen Hegener, Hudson Stuck, Iditarod, Iditarod Trail, Joe Redington, Jujiro Wada, Leonhard Seppala, Mary Joyce, military sled dogs, mushing, mushing history, Nome, Northern Light Media, Rembrandt, Richardson Trail, Scotty Allan, sled dog mail, sled dog racing, sled dogs, Slim Williams, Split the Wind, Togo, Valdez to Eagle Trail, Valdez-to-Fairbanks Trail, Wolf | Leave a comment

Leonhard Seppala’s Serum Run

Posted on October 1, 2015 by Helen Hegener

The 1925 serum run to Nome, also known as the Great Race of Mercy, was a 675 mile dog team relay of diphtheria antitoxin across the U.S. territory of Alaska, accomplished by 20 mushers and about 150 sled dogs in … Continue reading →