Even an organization dedicated to recording the events around it has some newsworthy milestones along the way, and that’s especially true for one that is more than 120 years old. Below the photo gallery are a few entries from the Austin Daily Herald’s own history book.

Look for this story and much more in Progress 2013, the Herald’s most-anticipated special section of the year.

 

1891:

On Nov. 9, the Herald prints its first issue as a weekly under the direction of A.B. Hunkins. The paper is published on the second floor of a building at Fourth Avenue and Main Street. Austin had a population of 6,000 then, and a total of three weeklies plus one daily newspaper. Herald carriers make $160 per year.

1893-1900

The Herald office shares space with the Mower County Democrat newspaper in a building on North Main Street only five feet from the edge of the Cedar River. The machinery at the building was operated by steam power, as electricity wasn’t available. When the presses ran, the entire building trembled.

1941:

The Herald reviews its progress on its 50th anniversary with a special “Golden Anniversary” edition, which includes a reprint of a letter of congratulations from President Franklin Roosevelt as well as University of Minnesota School of Journalism Director Ralph Casey. Instead of bringing in news by express delivery, the newspaper now uses a wire service via teletype from the Associated Press that runs constantly from 7 a.m. to 3 p.m.

1948:

Geraldine Rasmussen acquires the original Marigold Dairy building and turns it into the Herald’s pressroom.

1962:

Thomsom Newspapers Inc. purchases the Herald.

1969:

A fire destroys the Herald’s pressroom, which stood across the street from the Herald offices on “Herald Square,” the intersections of First Drive and First Street NW. Lacking a press in Austin, the Herald prints in Albert Lea.

1971:

On Oct. 2, the Herald begins the move from the old to the new. Dozens of workmen and Herald staffers load up the desks and typewriters of the old office on First Drive Northwest and move them to the Herald’s present home on Second Street Northeast.

1976:

On March 30, the Herald switches from letter press to offset printing, which improves the quality of photos in the paper. Pictures become clearer, sharper and show a higher contrast. “We are doing this to produce a better looking newspaper,” Editor Edmund E. Smith says.

1984:

On Feb. 5, the Herald prints its first Sunday edition under the masthead “Austin Sunday Herald.”

1991:

The Herald celebrates 100 years in print.