ALBERT LEA — Longtime Albert Lea Tribune writer and columnist Ed Shannon announced this week he will retire from his position, effective Dec. 30.

Shannon, 84, has worked for the Tribune since Aug. 6, 1984.

First hired as a writer — covering everything from law enforcement to car wrecks to features to play reviews and even a little sports — Shannon has become most known for his historical Lifestyles features, weekly column and the daily Peek at the Past.

His Lifestyles features often looked into aspects of Albert Lea history and the surrounding Freeborn County area. At times, he also wrote about cities in nearby counties.

Shannon’s column, “Between the Corn Rows,” has appeared in the newspaper every Friday since December 1984, with just three exceptions. Over the years, it has covered a variety of topics, some also historical in nature and often included personal speculation.

When his last column publishes Dec. 30, he will have written 1,410 columns.

“Ed Shannon is an institution in Freeborn County and also the newspaper industry,” said Tribune Publisher Scott Schmeltzer. “Our team here at the Tribune can never truly thank Ed enough for the countless hours he has spent in our newsroom. His knowledge and historical perspective cannot be replaced or duplicated. I personally am going to miss talking to Ed on a day-to-day basis.”

Shannon, who said he’s always been interested in history, credited the late Bidney Bergie and Kevin Savick, who often helped him gathering information for his historical features, along with the Freeborn County Historical Museum, which he described as a valuable resource.

He also credited Tribune readers — sometimes even ones from out of state — who he said have been helpful in contributing ideas and information.

Though he said it’s time for him to retire — he has some other things he wants to do — he said he will miss the people he has worked with.

An open house to celebrate Shannon’s career will be held from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jan. 6 at the Tribune. That day, the Tribune will also publish a special edition of the newspaper in Shannon’s honor.