The Shiner Gazette had its weekly beginning as the Shiner Courier on Nov. 5, 1890 when the first edition was published by Emmett Smith, the founder of the Shiner Courier.
In Volume 11, Number 30, of the Courier, dated June 30, 1892, the masthead named L.D. Chaddock as editor and proprietor. Noted many months later in Volume 111, Number 15, dated March 25, 1893, the Courier masthead listed Smith and Carnes as publishers and proprietors, with Brandon H. Smith as editor.
Charles W. Ward, a young man from Indiana, came to Shiner in 1893 and began work immediately for the Shiner Courier. He foresaw the impossibility of renewing the old journal and soon thereafter (July 3, 1893) appeared the first issue of The Shiner Gazette, which by his energy, ability and perseverance increased rapidly in circulation and soon ranked among the best county journals in the State.
At that time the masthead listed C.W. Ward as the publisher.
It was in June, 1897, that the Shiner Gazette was sold to J.C. Habermacher and he remained at the helm until his death on December 19, 1923.
A year earlier in the fall of 1922, Mr. Habermacher, due to his illness, prevailed upon his daughter, Mrs. Ella E. Lane, to come to Shiner and take over the management of the Gazette.
The Gazette continued publishing with Mrs. J.C. Habermacher and Mrs. Ella E. Lane its owners and editors. Mrs. Habermacher died on December 19, 1930. After her death, the interests of the journal were continued by Mrs. Lane, her sister, Mrs. Cecile Plagemann and her niece, Miss Annie Louise Plagemann. The Gazette was owned by the Habermacher family for some 40 years.
On November 1, 1937, the publication was purchased by Mrs. Tillie Strauss Fietsam and, with the able and knowledgeable assistance of her foreman and advertising manager, Lee J. Sedlmeyer, the transition of a hand-set publication to type set by use of a one-magazine typesetting machine, an Intertype, was realized.
During World War II, Lee Sedlmeyer left Shiner and went to San Antonio to work for that city's newspapers. He returned to Shiner on Feb. 1, 1945 when he bought The Shiner Gazette from Mrs. Fietsam. Together he and his wife, Angeline Stock Sedlmeyer continued the publication.
It was Mr. Sedlmeyer’s dream to build a permanent home for the noted and prize winning weekly newspaper. His hopes and efforts were realized in May 1955 when a 40’x80' hollow tile, with brick front building was completed.
The big move was made in three days and the May, 28,1955 issue was printed at its new location at 713 N. Ave. D.
After Lee Sedlmeyer’s death on November 22 1966, Mrs. Sedlmeyer continued in the operation of the business as owner and publisher of The Shiner Gazette.
As time progressed, new innovations and modern technology in the newspaper field were being introduced it became evident to Mrs. Sedlmeyer that the Gazette would also have to keep pace with the times to better serve the community.
After much thought, Mrs. Sedlmeyer decided to sell The Shiner Gazette to Joseph J. and Gladys Strauss. The transaction took place on November 1, 1975, with Mrs. Sedlmeyer remaining on the staff.
Some months later the Gazette made the transition to an offset publication. Mr. and Mrs. Strauss were the owners and publishers until February of 1991.
The paper was then sold to Tex and Sally Rogers who were the owners/publisher until October of 1992. The paper was then purchased by L.M. (Buddy) Preuss III, who is still the owner.
The Gazette moved to their new office location at 1509 N. Ave E in May 2018.
