In the photo above is Front Street in Nome, Alaska, 1900.
Our story began in a saloon in Nome in 1907.
Allan Alexander, “Scotty” Allan, was there.
“On a cold spring day in 1907 a group of us gathered around a stove in a Nome saloon and began talking about dog races. After a few weeks of arguing we worked out the rules of the All Alaska Sweepstakes”
In the photo above is Allan Alexander, “Scotty” Allan. He also ran the race and won several times.
The Race Trail - a Test of Endurance
The race would begin in Nome and go to Candle, Alaska, and then back to Nome. A total distance of around 408 miles.
In the photo above is Candle City, Alaska, 1903.
Candle, Alaska, is located on the west bank of the Kiwalik River and Candle Creek. It was founded in 1901 as a mining camp and had a post office by 1902.
A.A. “Scotty” Allan described the route to Candle.
“It was selected because the trail to it from Nome goes over all kinds of country, from sea ice to high mountains, with rivers, tundra, timber, glaciers, and everything else in the way of mental and physical hardships en route. We knew there wouldn’t be any doubt about the excellence of a dog or driver that covered it.”
In the 1910 photo above is the winning dog sled team in the third All Alaska Sweepstakes. John Johnson was the driver.
Johnson finished in 74 hours, 14 minutes, and 37 seconds.
Yes, You Can Share this Edition
And when you do, your friends and family will be so happy that they will gift you with a limo ride for two to your favorite restaurant… well, it could happen.
How Long?
The first race in 1908 was won by John Hegness in 119 hours, 15 minutes, and 12 seconds.
A.A. “Scotty” Allan won the race a total of three times. His fastest time was 80 hours, 49 minutes, and 41 seconds.
The fastest winner was Fay Delzene in 1913 with a time of 75 hours, 42 minutes, and 27 seconds.
In 2008, Mitch Seavey won a commemorative run of the race with a time of 61 hours, 29 minutes, and 45 seconds. The fastest time ever.
BONUS
Discover more.
Take a look at the All Alaska Sweepstakes by Helen Hegener.
From Our North Stars (that’s you)
From our look at Wyatt Earp in Alaska.
Diana had this comment:
“This was a very interesting read, thank you so much!”
Oops! We got it wrong.
In our Wyatt Earp in Alaska edition of Alaska Stories, we incorrectly stated that the Second Chance Saloon on Front Street in Nome was Wyatt Earp’s. And that the Dexter also belonged to the Earps and used the same building. But sometimes, our research turns out to be in error.
Douglas sent this correction:
“M&M, the Dexter and the Second Class Saloon were both located on Front Street in Nome but were two separate establishments. The Second Class was owned by Dick Dawson and Charles C. Suter.”
Thank you, Douglas, for the correction.
M&M (Mike and Mary)
BONUS
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Can you imagine how tough the All Alaska Sweepstakes race was?
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Until Next Time
Mike and Mary
Alaska Stories