Early Years of Walt Disney
Young Walt Disney
On December 5th 1901, Walter Elis "Walt" Disney was born to parents Elias and Flora Disney in Chicago, Illinois. Walt was raised on a farm near Marceline,Missouri along with his 3 brothers and 1 sister. Drawing became an early interest for Walt. Walt enjoyed drawing pictures of animals and natures, and would often do so instead of doing his homework. When he was seven years old, he would sell his sketches and drawings to nearby neighbors. Walt attended McKinley high school, where he devoted his time to drawing and photographs, which he contributed to his school newspaper. To better his drawing abilities, Walt attended the Academy of Fine Arts at night. Throughout the years, Walt began to appreciate and love wildlife, community, and family. In the fall of 1918, Walt enrolled in the war, but was rejected because he was only 16 years old. Instead, Walt joined the Red Cross and was sent overseas to France, where he spent a year driving ambulances. Instead of his car being covered in camouflage, it was covered with Disney cartoons.