EXTRA
FRIDAY,
June 10, 2016
B1
DRIA ECHO PRES N A X E S AL
125
years
1891
2016
PROUD HISTORY BRIGHT FUTURE
This photo was taken in 1920 in front of the Park Region Echo on Sixth Avenue East just off Broadway in Alexandria. Members of the Alexandria Business Association gathered to honor the newspaper’s new location.
Echo Press celebrates milestone T
he Echo Press has been giving information life since 1891 – that’s 125 years of local news, sports, variety, features, photos, government news, columns, meeting notices, event coverage, school and church news, engagements, weddings, births, editorials, letters to the editor, commentaries, business news, classifieds, display ads, coupons, legal notices, obituaries, online news and advertising … and the list goes on. We’re proud to be celebrating this important milestone and invite you to celebrate with us!
FROM THE BLUE BELL TO THE ECHO PRESS
This newspaper got its start in 1891 in Brandon as The Blue Bell, providing a voice for temperance advocates. It changed ownership a few times, and in 1903, it was renamed the Brandon Echo. Eventually, it was taken over by Brandon State Bank. It was later purchased by Carl Wold. Under Wold’s leadership, the paper expanded. In 1908, it was moved to Alexandria and renamed the Park Region Echo. At that time, it was distributed to 600 readers. By the time Wold sold the paper in 1918, it was the largest newspaper in Douglas County with the most modern printing equipment.
CELEBRATE WITH US! The Echo Press will host an open house on Thursday, June 16 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the parking lot at 225 Seventh Avenue East in Alexandria. Join us for pork chops made by the Douglas County Pork Producers, root beer floats, souvenirs and good old-fashioned fun!
The newspaper was purchased by a committee representing the Farmers Shipping Organization, which organized the Park Region Publishing Company, selling stock at $20 a share. In 1937 under the direction of renowned editor Charlie Coy, the Park Region Echo gained national prominence as winner of the National Editorial Association General Newspaper Excellence trophy as best weekly newspaper in the U.S. with circulation of more than 1,000. Following World War II, two long-time employees left the paper and started their own competing publication in Alexandria called the Lake Region Press. The Park Region Echo became a daily in 1969.
In January 1970, the Lake Region Press purchased the Park Region Echo and began publishing a twice weekly paper – one edition called the Lake Region Echo, the other the Lake Region Press. The name was later simplified to Echo Press. In 1974, the company constructed a 4,200-square-foot building at 121 Fifth Avenue West, which it operated out of for 20 years. In 1990, Forum Communications Company purchased the Alexandria newspaper operation. In 1994, Echo Press moved into a new 13,000-square-foot building at 225 Seventh Avenue East in Alexandria, where it is located today.
TIMELINE: 1891 The Blue Bell
1903 Brandon Echo
1908 Park Region Echo
1970 Lake Region Echo and Lake Region Press
1991 Echo Press
Jody Hanson
Giving information life, for 125 years!
From the Publisher
Happy anniversary to all of you! Yes, the Echo Press is celebrating its 125th anniversary, but we know it couldn’t have happened without all of you, our loyal readers, advertisers and local newsmakers. A newspaper is only as strong as the communitiy it serves, and we have thrived for 125 years because of the strength and vitality of this incredible community. I also want to pay tribute to the incredible Echo Press staff. Combined, our current employees have logged an amazing 458 years of service to this company. They care about this newspaper and the community it serves, and they show that each and every day. So thank you for your ongoing support, and happy anniversary! Jody Hanson Publisher Echo Press
“A newspaper of color, courage and integrity.” December 10, 1964 article referring to The Park Region Echo
Come help us celebrate our 125th Anniversary!
e h t s s o T aann bbaaggss
and have a chance to save $ on a one-year Echo Press subscription!
bbee
001435042r1
Through the hole gets your subscription for $34.75 (local area) Anywhere else on top of game board saves $10.00 off your regular subscription price.
225 7th Ave E, Alexandria Game rules: Toss 3 bean bags and you get to keep the one that saves you the most! (only one bag can be used for your subscription discount new or renewals.) Not good with any other offers. Subscriptions are non-refundable.