Iowa Newspapers - 1884 -

IOWA. Area, 55,475 square miles; population, 1,624,615; 99 counties -- newspapers published in all.
The total number of newspapers and periodicals published in 1840 was 4; in 1850- 29; 1860-130; 1870- 233; 1880- 569. The publications during 1880 were divided, according to periods of issue, as follows:
Dailies - 30; weeklies - 500; semi-weeklies - 3; tri-weeklies - 1; bi-weeklies - 2; monthlies - 31; semi-monthlies - 1; quarterlies - 1. In each of 140 towns one paper was published; in 61 two; in 33 three; in 10 four; and in 21, five or more.

EARLY HISTORY. (compiled by John Springer, of Iowa City)
1836, May 11 - Printing was introduced at Dubuque. The publications prior to 1842 were as follows: ¹
1836, May 11 - The Dubuque Visitor, established at Dubuque Lead Mines, Wisconsin territory, by John King. Now published as the Dubuque Herald.
1837, June 3 - The Iowa News, at Dubuque, by Russell & Coriell.
1837, July 8 - The Western Adventurer, at Montrose, by Thomas Gregg.
1837, July 8 - The Wisconsin Territorial Gazette, at Burlington, by Clark & Jacobs. Now published as the Burlington Gazette.
1837, September - The Western Emigrant and Historian, at Montrose, by Thomas Gregg; monthy, 16 pages. But three numbers were issued.
1838, March 24 - The Fort Madison Patriot, at Fort Madison, by James E. Edwards. Removed to Burlington, November 27, 1838, and called the Burlington Patriot. Now published as the Burlington Hawkeye.
1838, August 4 - The Iowa Sun, at Davenport, by Andrew Logan. Now published as the Davenport Democrat.
1840, October 23 - The Iowa Standard, at Bloomington (now Muscatine), by William Crum.
1840, October 27 - The Bloomington Herald, at Bloomington (now Muscatine), by Thomas Hughes.
1841, May 23 - The Fort Madison Courier, at Fort Madison, by R.W. Albright.
1841, June 10 - The Iowa City Standard, at Iowa City, by William Crum. Now published as the Iowa City Republican.
1841, July - The Miner's Express, at Dubuque, by Avery Thomas.
1841, July 30 - The Iowa City Argus, at Iowa City, by Nathan Jackson.
1841, August 26 - The Davenport Gazette, at Davenport, by Alfred Saunders. The first steam press in Iowa was used in this office in 1855. The daily (first in the state) was established October 16, 1854. Still published.
1841, December 3 - The Iowa Capital Reporter, at Iowa City, by Hughes & Van Antwerp. Now published as the Iowa State Press.

Footnote:
1. Compiled from the First Biennial Report of the State Board of Agriculture, 1878.

Adair co. - Clayton co.
- publications in census year 1884 -
Clinton - Hardin - Harrison - Madison - Mahaska - Sac - Scott - Wright

Source: "History and Present Condition of the Newspaper and Periodical Press of the United States, with a Catalogue of the Publications of the Census Year", by S.N.D. North, Special Agent; Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C.; 1884; pages 237-245 & 366

Transcribed for Iowa Old Press by Sharyl Ferrall, August 2004

go to:
Clinton co. - Hardin co.
Harrison co. - Madison co.
Mahaska co. - Sac co.
Scott co. - Wright co.

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