Guide to Wisconsin Newspapers 1833-2004
Guide to Wisconsin Newspapers 1833-2004 Compiled by Donald E. Oehlerts Revised by James L. Hansen Madison March 2021 Division of Library, Archives and Museum Collections Copyright © 2019 by the Wisconsin Historical Society All Rights Reserved PREFACE At the time Donald Oehlerts wrote his preface in 1958, the world of newspapers seemed very stable, an industry that was confident and strong. Advertising was robust, circulation was growing, and the delivery of the daily newspaper to your doorstep was, for the most part, reliable, depending on your paper boy. But looks can be deceiving as the newspaper industry was experiencing subtle changes during the post-World War II years and, some may argue, even going back to the early 20th century. By the early 1950s, the number of daily newspapers across the country was beginning to decline, albeit slowly, but the trend had begun. The number of daily newspapers in Wisconsin declined after peaking at 63 newspapers in 1905, dropping to 50 in 1921 and 38 in 1960. The number of Wisconsin weekly newspapers also declined, dropping from a high of 591 in 1905 to 306 by 1938 and to 271 by 1959. Newspapers in Wisconsin and across the country were witnessing changes and trends in the industry over the years, including an increase in consolidations as chain ownership grew. Post-World War II trends, including suburbanization, rising costs and technology, were putting pressure on newspapers to change and adapt. But, ownership and publishers, on the whole, did not take heed of the warning signs. Growing circulation numbers and increased advertising revenue made for “blind eyes” and complacency.
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