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Newspaper The Washburn Times (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976

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About The Washburn Times (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976

The Washburn Times was first published by John E. Jones on December 16, 1896. The weekly succeeded the Times (1895-1896) and the Iron River Times (1892-1895), previously published in Washburn.

After its founding in 1833, the community of Washburn, located on the shores of Lake Superior amid abundant forests and terrain, grew with the thriving lumber and sandstone industries. A great fire threatened the community’s population and structures in 1894, but it did not stop the town’s continuing growth. By the time the Washburn Times was established, Washburn had become a community of 6,000 inhabitants. In later years, the town became known for the local explosives plant Dupont Company, which employed more than 6,000 people to support the war effort during World War I.

According to the editor, the first years of the publication were shaped by “all sorts of squalls and blows” but Jones soon turned the Times into the leading newspaper of Bayfield County, praised by many other local newspaper publishers. During his time as editor, Jones, a Republican, also served a variety of political offices and as president of the Northern Wisconsin Press Association. The Times reflected his political leaning and involvement.

In September 1905, Nels M. Oscar bought the Times, admitting in his first issue that “the primary reason for purchasing THE TIMES is to make money. This is perhaps a pointed remark, but why not?” Politically, he promised to continue the publication’s tradition in supporting the Republican Party and, thereby, Governor LaFollette. Politics aside, in columns such as “Local and Personal” and “Curb Stone Gossip” the newspaper included many local happenings and short notes about community members.

Oscar remained editor until August 1910. Although his successor, George E. Plant, only briefly edited the Times for two months, he added a quotation from Abraham Lincoln to the masthead, which remained there for over two years: “Motto: — With malice toward none, with charity for all, with firmness in the right as God gives us to see the right.” William A. Robinson became the next editor of the newspaper and held the position for 22 years until 1932. The Times continued until its 1976 consolidation with the Bayfield County Press into the Washburn-Bayfield County Times.

Provided By: Wisconsin Historical Society

About this Newspaper

Title

  • The Washburn Times (Washburn, Wis.) 1896-1976

Dates of Publication

  • 1896-1976

Created / Published

  • Washburn, Wis. : J.E. Jones, 1896-1976.

Headings

  • -  Washburn (Wis.)--Newspapers
  • -  Wisconsin--Washburn
  • -  United States--Wisconsin--Bayfield--Washburn

Genre

  • Newspapers

Notes

  • -  Weekly
  • -  Vol. 5, no. 43 (Dec. 16, 1896)-v. 83, no. 4 (May 13, 1976).
  • -  Publisher varies.
  • -  Editors: J.E. Jones, April 11, 1901-Sept. 28, 1905; N.M. Oscar, Oct. 5, 1905-Aug. 11, 1910; G.E. Plant, Aug. 18-Oct 20, 1910; W.A. Robinson, Oct. 27, 1910-Oct. 3, 1929; C.M. Sheridan, March 26, 1942-Sept. 25, 1947; P.L. Robinson, Feb. 3, 1949-Feb. 27, 1969; E.J. Korpela, April 17, 1969-May 13, 1976.
  • -  Supplements accompany some issues.
  • -  Available on microfilm from The State Historical Society of Wisconsin.
  • -  Archived issues are available in digital format from the Library of Congress Chronicling America online collection.
  • -  Absorbed: Washburn news, July 10, 1924.
  • -  Bayfield County press (DLC)sn 86086095 (OCoLC)13118249
  • -  Washburn-Bayfield County times (DLC)sn 85040436 (OCoLC)11963819

Medium

  • 79 volumes : illustrations

Call Number/Physical Location

  • Newspaper

Library of Congress Control Number

  • sn85040437

OCLC Number

  • 11963637

ISSN Number

  • 2768-5128

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Succeeding Titles

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Rights & Access

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Cite This Item

Citations are generated automatically from bibliographic data as a convenience, and may not be complete or accurate.

Chicago citation style:

The Washburn Times Washburn, Wis. -1976. (Washburn, WI), Jan. 1 1896. https://www.loc.gov/item/sn85040437/.

APA citation style:

(1896, January 1) The Washburn Times Washburn, Wis. -1976. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, https://www.loc.gov/item/sn85040437/.

MLA citation style:

The Washburn Times Washburn, Wis. -1976. (Washburn, WI) 1 Jan. 1896. Retrieved from the Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/item/sn85040437/.