150 years of informing our community
One hundred and fifty years ago, so the story goes, Astoria’s leading citizens decided that if the city was going to be a credible place to do business, it needed a newspaper. So they recruited publisher DeWitt Clinton Ireland to start an independent newspaper in Astoria.
On July 1, 1873 the Tri-Weekly Astorian printed the first edition of what would become 150 consecutive years
of newspaper publishing dedicated to credible, independent local journalism for Clatsop County.
Over the years the titles and printing frequency have varied; Tri-Weekly Astorian, Weekly Astorian, Daily Astorian, Evening Astorian Budget, Astoria Daily Budget, Morning Astorian, The Astorian.
Today, on our 150th anniversary, we are proud to continue
the legacy that began in 1873 of chronicling the daily events that become Astoria’s history. We are proud to maintain the mission of providing news and information that empowers a strong, informed community. Thank you, Astorians, for your long-lasting and continuous support.
— Kari Borgen, publisher, The Astorian
Vol. 1 ASTORIA, OREGON, JULY 1, 1873 No. 1 Front page of the first edition of what would become today’s Astorian, published July 1, 1873.
Join us on Sept 21, 2023 in the Lovell Showroom as we celebrate 150 years of The Astorian and trusted community journalism. 150years JULY 1, 1873 - 2023
Front pages over the years
NAMES OVER THE YEARS
Upon death of J.S. Dellinger, Mrs. Dellinger sold the Morning Astorian to Evening Budget owners E.B. Aldrich, Fred Lampkin, Lee Drake and Merle Chessman. The name of the newly merged newspapers became the Evening AstorianBudget and moved to a plant on Exchange Street.
The Morning Astorian published Dec. 9, 1922 The Astoria Daily Budget published Oct. 25, 1906 The Tri-Weekly Astorian published Jan. 31, 1874 The Daily Astorian published May 1, 1876 The Daily Astorian published Dec. 8, 2008 The Daily Astorian published Dec. 4, 2007
1873: Tri-Weekly Astorian founded. 1877: Renamed Morning Astorian. 1893: Astoria Evening Budget founded. 1903: 1930: Morning Astorian acquired, name changed to Evening Astorian-Budget. 1960: Name changed from Astorian 1873 1883 1893 1903 1913 1923 1933 1943 1876 The Tri-Weekly Astorian is renamed The Daily Astorian, published daily except Mondays. Publication was temporarily suspended with v. 1, no. 43 (June 19, 1876); resumed with v. 2, no. 1 (June 5, 1877) July 1, 1873 DeWitt Clinton Ireland starts the first Astoria newspaper, the Tri-Weekly Astorian. Publishes Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays. 1877 Daily Astorian moved to southwest corner of 10th and Commercial and resumes publication. 1881 D.C. Ireland sells The Daily Astorian to J.F. Halloran and Pittman W. Parker 1883 The Daily Astorian becomes the Daily Morning Astorian 1892 The Astorian buys the first Linotype on the Pacific Coast. 1893 Astoria Evening Budget founded by Oscar Dunbar and John Gratke. 1903 Morning Astorian sold to John S. Dellinger. 1922 Astoria
Morning Astorian
Evening
Astorian
days
Toveri
newspaper
was printed
a while by the Seaside Signal.
The Astorian timeline 1873 - 2023 E.B. Aldrich
fire destroyed both the
and
Budget buildings. The
resumed printing three
later at The
(Finnish)
in town. The Budget
for
1930
1903: Morning Astorian acquired. 1919: Evening Budget purchased. Budget to The Daily Astorian. 1996: www.dailyastorian.com goes online. 2019: Name changes to The Astorian.
The Daily Astorian published May 3, 2019 (Last named The Daily Astorian)
1947 Publisher Merle Chessman died. His son, Robert Chessman, was named Evening AstorianBudget publisher and Fred Andrus was named editor.
1948 The Evening Budget bought a new Duplex, 16-page press. Moved to the remodeled Troy Laundry building at 10th and Duane.
1959 The Chessman family sold their stock to the other stockholders. Morgan Coe was named publisher.
1961 The Astorian-Budget is renamed The Daily Astorian.
1968 Editor Fred Andrus retired after 22 years and Mike Forrester is named editor.
1970 The Daily Astorian moved into a new building at the current location on 10th and Exchange, and an offset web press was installed and upgrades added to include four-color printing.
1973 J.W. “Bud” Forrester became editor, and Mike Forrester moved to East Oregonian. The Astorian celebrates 100 years in print.
1988 Steve Forrester named editor of The Daily Astorian, upon J.W. Forrester’s retirement.
“Bud” Forrester
1996 The Daily Astorian goes online at dailyastorian.com
2000 Steve Forrester named publisher of The Daily Astorian.
2003 Steve Forrester becomes president of East Oregonian Publishing Co.
2010 Goss Community offset press is retired and replaced with a newer model with expanded page and color capacity.
2016 Steve Forrester retires.
2017 Harrison Forrester named to EO Media Group board. Susan Forrester Rana named a company director.
2019 The Daily Astorian again becomes The Astorian, publishing Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays
The Daily Astorian published July 24, 1969 The Daily Astorian published Sept. 11, 2001 The Weekly Astorian published Oct. 17, 1879 The Daily Morning Astorian published Nov. 11, 1883
The Astorian
years
published Mar. 24, 2020
2023 1953 1963 1973 1983 1993 2003 2013
Steve
Mike Forrester J.W.
Forrester
in the future 150
To our subscribers and fellow Astorians,
It is with immense gratitude that together with my family, we extend our heartfelt thanks to the community of Astoria, where I grew up and where The Astorian has grown. It is because of you that we have been able to serve as a source of news and a trusted pillar in one of the best places in Oregon.
We are committed to continuously improving and being a part of the future of Astoria. Your feedback and input are invaluable to us. We invite you to reach out and let us know how we can better serve you, be a stronger advocate and contribute to the growth and well-being of our town.
As we embark on the next chapter, we remain committed to the future of Astoria, steadfast in our mission to deliver insightful journalism and foster a sense of togetherness. Thank you for supporting local journalism, Susan Forrester Rana srana@eoemediagroup.com
“I
Grit
Ink stirring and moving, the essence of what journalism should be and truly giving voice to the voiceless — establishing the most important thing there is in life,
years
Astoria
Digital access available to all subscribers Call 800-781-3214 to set up your digital account.
Learn more about the history of The Astorian and parent company EO Media Group ALSO AVAILABLE AT Available at: www.eomediagroup.com/books/grit-and-ink or by calling (800) 621-2736
community. As a Northwesterner I feel particularly proud of what they have accomplished.” — Buzz Bissinger, author of Friday Night Lights GRIT AND INK An Oregon Family’s Adventures in Newspapering, 1908 – 2018 • The history of the company and family that owns 14 Oregon newspapers including The Astorian • Grit and Ink helps you understand what makes Oregon, Oregon • 220 pages with 60 B/W and full color photos group eo o mediagroup.com • Original reporting from local reporters • Timely news and updates • Breaking news notifications • Accessible audio versions of stories online • Interactive social media links • E-edition and app delivery • Email newsletters and notifications DailyAstorian.com is committed to trusted community journalism Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023 • 1873: 150 years in Astoria • Lovell Showroom Join us for a celebration and discussion of the 150 year anniversaries of The Astorian and the Astoria-Warrenton Area Chamber of Commerce. Doors open at 6 p.m., presentation begins at 7 p.m. Mark your calendars for a celebration
Susan Forrester Rana
find
and
