Our Story
With your help, the Times-Standard — the North Coast's daily newspaper — has survived and thrived for more than a century and a half.
In that time, we've seen and shared a lot of changes, both at the newspaper and in our larger community. The first Humboldt Times was published in September 1854 in Humboldt County. The region was a land long held sacred by the large American Indian population, a group that still retains a strong local presence. In the mid-1800s, waves of white pioneer miners, loggers, ranchers and townsfolk valued this area for its rich natural resources. That forced mixing of cultures did not come without conflict, and this newspaper chronicled the at-times turbulent settlement period, writing "history in a hurry," as we still do today.
The Humboldt Standard was first printed in April 1875, a time of growth and economic vitality for a region tapping heavily into the abundant timber and fishing resources. The area's prosperity was enhanced by World War I and World War II, and the timber-hungry, post-war housing boom that followed.
The two papers were merged on June 1, 1967. There was plenty for the combined Times-Standard to report in 1967, a banner news year that saw the Arab/Israeli Six-Day War, the Apollo 1 fire and the Green Bay Packers tromp the Kansas City Chiefs in the first Super Bowl. That same year, Roger Patterson shot his famous color footage of Bigfoot in the Bluff Creek area outside of Weitchpec.
Since those days, the North Coast's fortunes have waxed and waned, hard hit at times by changing natural resources laws and activism, yet bolstered by an undiminished natural beauty and rural splendor marked by rocky coasts, ancient forests, mountains, lakes and unspoiled rivers.
We don't know what the future may hold. But judging by current efforts to look at responsibly developing the region — and by the ability, ingenuity and grit of North Coast residents — we all have reason to be hopeful.
No matter what happens, we plan to stay right here with you reporting on our shared community, and your views on it. In building our newspaper up from one primitive press in 1854 to a modern operation of computers and other high-tech innovations, we've dedicated a considerable amount of time, resources and manpower to provide unrivaled, in-depth coverage of this region, which spans an area the size of some states.
As we've noted before — we can't do it alone. Whatever we have accomplished and will accomplish, we owe it to you, our readers, along with your vital feedback and support. We feel fortunate indeed to have had many generations' worth of loyal readers in the form of friends, neighbors, colleagues — and even a few critics — through the years.
All of you perusing this page now, by the very act of reading, join directly in our common newspaper heritage of events, culture and happenstance going back to the mid-1850s.
In 1954, to honor this newspaper's 100th birthday, President Eisenhower sent a personal message to us and our readers. Ike said, in part:
“I am sure that the service which your newspaper has rendered the people of Eureka during the past century has notably contributed to the development of your community. May your newspaper continue, throughout the decades ahead, to present the news, with fairness and accuracy, to the citizens of your area.”
We'll sure continue to try, Mr. President.
A newspaper is more than just a business or a bare daily recitation of facts. It's a living, growing, dynamic entity, mirroring the region it serves. We write the first rough draft of history each day; you infuse that writing with meaning in the way you interpret the information, discuss it, react to it.
The symbiosis between the American newspaper and its readership — each dependent on the other — was implied in our Constitution, which upholds free speech above all others in the Bill of Rights.
We'll stay true to that spirit by printing news, sports, entertainment, features and a myriad other offerings each day, as well as a range of letters and comment representing the political and philosophical gamut, and even the views of those who don't always agree with us.
That's because we're a community newspaper — your community's daily newspaper.
Thanks for making it possible.
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