SECTION V

BIBLIOGRAPHY OF NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN POLK COUNTY

compiled by Kathleen Casey

The following bibliography lists some forty newspapers published in Polk County from 1856 to the present. It is arranged by place of publication, and then by date of first issue. Each entry gives the newspaper title, dates of publication, type of newspaper, explanatory notes, and holding at ten institutions in Oregon. These institutions, with their abbreviations, are as follows:

  • DAL Dallas Public Library – Dallas, Oregon
  • HER Heritage Museum – Independence, Oregon
  • IND Independence Public Library, Independence, Oregon
  • MON Monmouth Public Library, Monmouth, Oregon
  • OHS Oregon Historical Society, Portland, Oregon
  • ORU University of Oregon, Eugene, Oregon
  • OSU Oregon State University, Corvallis, Oregon
  • PHS Polk County Museum, Rickreall, Oregon
  • SPL Salem Public Library, Salem, Oregon
  • WOU Western Oregon University Hamersly Library, Monmouth, Oregon

Incomplete holdings are so indicated. Holdings are in paper unless otherwise specified.

George Turnbull’s History of Oregon Newspapers mentions several Polk County newspapers that have not been found in any PCHP agency or in any other major Oregon history repository. These are:

  • Dallas News, 1899
  • Monmouth Democrat, 1892-1893
  • Oregon Woodman (Dallas), 1896-1908
  • Semi-Weekly Telegram (Independence), 1876

Researchers are advised that Portland and Oregon City newspapers are rich sources of Polk County news, particularly during the Territorial and Early Statehood eras. Newspapers published in neighboring counties are also worth checking. The most significant of these titles are:

  • Camp Adair Sentry (Benton County), 1942-1944
  • New Sun/Sheridan Sun/Sun (primarily Yamhill County), 1904-present
  • Occidental Messenger (Benton County), 1857-1859
  • Salem Statesman Journal (Marion & part of Polk County), 1980-present. See also:
    • Daily Oregon Statesman, 1864-1980
    • Capitol Journal, 1890-1980
  • Willamina Times (primarily Yamhill County), 1924-1974

    Standard catalogs and indices were consulted and field surveys of PCHP agencies were conducted in compiling this bibliography. Specific sources consulted include:

    Newspapers in Microform: United States. Washington, D.C: Library of Congress, 1973.

    Newton, Sidney W. Early History of Independence, Oregon. Salem, Or: Panther Printing, 1971.

    Oregon Newspaper Project (website accessed Feb.-April 2001). http://libweb.uoregon.edu/govdocs/newsproj.htm.

    Oregon Regional Union List of Serials (ORULS) (website accessed Feb.-April 2001). Oregon State Library. http://www.osl.state.or.us/home/oruls/

    Turnbull, George S. The History of Oregon Newspapers Portland, Oregon: Binfords & Mort, 1939.

     

    A table of contents for this section follows . . .

    Bibliography of Newspapers Published in Polk County

    Table of Contents

    NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN DALLAS

    NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN EOLA

    • Religious Expositor [May 6, 1856 – Sept. 27, 1856?]

    NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN FALLS CITY

    • Falls City Enterprise [1926-1930?]
    • Falls City News [1909-1918?]

    NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN INDEPENDENCE

    • Independence Riverside [1878-1883?]
    • (Independence) West Side, [1883-1902?]
    • Independence Enterprise, 1894-[1902?]
    • Independence Enterprise & West Side, 1902-1904
    • West Side Enterprise, Jan. 14, 1904-Oct. 8, 1908
    • Independence Enterprise, Oct 15, 1908-June 26, 1969
    • Independence Monitor, Aug. 1 [?], 1912 to July 6, 1918
    • Weekly Visitor, [1913-1915?]
    • Farmers Union News, [1917-1929]
    • Western Youth, [1918?]
    • Polk County Post, March 26, 1918? – Dec. 16, 1921?
    • West Salem Mail, Dec. 8, 1938-Dec. 28, 1939
    • Panther Press Oct. 16, 1950-present
    • Independence Enterprise Monmouth Herald, July 3, 1969-May 26, 1975
    • Independence Enterprise, 1975-1979

    NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN MONMOUTH

    • Christian Messenger, Oct. 8, 1870- May 17, 1877
    • Pacific Christian Messenger, May 13, 1877 – Dec. 23, 1881
    • Christian Herald, [1882-1887?]
    • Monmouth Herald, Sept. 4, 1908-June 26, 1969
    • Lamron, 1924-1989
    • OCEAN (Oregon College of Education Alumni Newsletter), 1943-1985
    • Independence Enterprise Monmouth Herald, July 3,1969-May 26,1975
    • The Polk Sun, Nov 5, 1970-Jan. 14, 1976.
    • The Monmouth Polk Sun, Jan. 21, 1976-to May 9, 1979.
    • Sun-Enterprise, May 16, 1979 to Feb. 20, 1980.
    • Monmouth and Independence Sun-Enterprise, Feb. 20, 1980-Dec. 16, 1992
    • Western Star, 1989-1999

    NEWSPAPERS PUBLISHED IN VALSETZ

    • Valsetz Mountain Echo\ [1961-1966?]
    DALLAS NEWSPAPERS

    Polk County Signal
    [1868-1869?]
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: political
    Notes: Published by J.H. Upton. Becomes: Oregon Republican (1870-1872).
    Holdings:
    DAL: 1868-1869 (microfilm -incomplete)
    ORU: 1868-1869 (microfilm -incomplete)
    Available Online (link in title)

    Polk County Times
    May 1, 1869-Feb. 12, 1870
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: Published by F.R. Stuart. Not listed in the History of Oregon Newspapers.
    Holdings:
    DAL: 1869-1870 (microfilm)
    ORU: 1869-1870 (incomplete)
    Available Online (link in title)

    Oregon Republican
    Mar. 1870 – Aug. 1872
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: political
    Notes: Published by R.H. Tyson (or D.M.C. Gault Co.?). Former title: Polk County Signal, [1868-1869?].
    Holdings:
    DAL: 1870-1872(microfilm)
    ORU: 1870-1872 (incomplete)
    Available Online (link in title)

    Liberal Republican
    [1872-1874?]
    Previous title: Oregon Republican 1870-1872.
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: political
    Notes: Published by P.C. Sullivan.
    Holdings:
    DAL: 1872-1874 (microfilm)
    ORU: 1872-1874 (incomplete)
    Available Online (link in title)

    Dallas Itemizer
    [1875?]-1879
    Frequency: unknown
    Type: community
    Notes: published by E. Casey. Becomes: Polk County Itemizer (1879-1927).
    Holdings:
    DAL: 1875-1879 (microfilm – incomplete)
    OHS: 1876 (microfilm -incomplete)
    ORU: 1875-1879 (incomplete)
    Available Online (link in title)

    Polk County Itemizer
    June 6,1879-1927
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: Published by G.A. Good. Previous name: Dallas Itemizer ([1875?] –1879). Merged with Polk County Observer (1888-1927) to form Polk County Itemizer-Observer (1927-1990).
    Holdings:
    DAL: 1879-1926 (microfilm). Some selective indexing.
    OHS: 1882-1926 (microfilm – incomplete)
    ORU: 1879-1926 (incomplete)
    PHS: 1895-1909 (incomplete)
    Available Online (link in title)

    Polk County Observer
    1888-May 26, 1927
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: published by C.C. Doughty. Merged with Polk County Itemizer (1879-1927) to form Polk County Itemizer-Observer (1927-1990).
    Holdings:
    DAL: 1888-1917, 1922-1927 (microfilm). Indexed from 1888-1927.
    MON: 1888-1889 (incomplete)
    OHS: 1888-1927 (microfilm-incomplete holdings)
    ORU: 1888-1917, 1922-1927 (incomplete)
    PHS: 1892-1909, 1913-1926 (incomplete holdings)
    Available Online (link in title)

    Valley Transcript
    Nov. 1, 1892- June 1, 1895
    Frequency: weekly?
    Type: community
    Notes: published by A.V.R. Snyder.
    Holdings:
    PHS: Jan. 25, 1893 and fragment [May?]

    Polk County Itemizer-Observer
    June 2, 1927 – May 2, 1990
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: Published by E. Richardson, then L. Shaffer. Merger of Polk County Observer (1888-1927) and Polk County Itemizer (1879-1927). First two issues called Polk County Itemizer and Observer. From 1992-present, Polk County Itemizer-Observer.
    Holdings:
    MON: current two months (paper)
    OHS: 1927-present (microfilm)
    ORU: 1927-present
    PHM: 1927-1963 (incomplete)
    SPL: current two months (paper)
    Available Online (link in title)

    EOLA NEWSPAPERS

    Religious Expositor
    [May 6, 1856 – Sept. 27, 1856?]
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: religious/political
    Notes: Published by C.M. Mattoon. Published in Corvallis starting July 19.
    “The first newspaper published in Polk County” (History of Oregon Newspapers).
    Holdings:
    OHS: 1856 (microfilm)
    WOU: 1856 (microfilm)

    FALLS CITY NEWSPAPERS

    Falls City Enterprise
    [1926-1930?]
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Holdings:
    DAL: 1926 (microfilm)
    ORU: April 15, 1926

    Falls City News
    [1909-1918?]
    Frequency: Weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: French Bros., publishers.
    Holdings:
    DAL: 1909-1918 (microfilm)
    ORU: 1909, 1911, 1914-1918 (incomplete)
    Available Online (link in title)

    INDEPENDENCE NEWSPAPERS

    Independence Riverside
    [1878-1883?]
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: Quivey (G.W.) and Waller, publishers.
    Holdings:
    HER: 1880 (incomplete)
    ORU: 1878 (microfilm – incomplete)

    (Independence) West Side
    [1883-1902?]
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: William H. Perry, publisher. Merged with Independence Enterprise to form Independence Enterprise & West Side (1902-1904).
    Holdings:
    HER: 1890-1891 (paper – incomplete holdings)
    ORU: 1890-1901 (microfilm)
    Available Online (link in title)

    Independence Enterprise
    1894-[1902?]
    Frequency: unknown
    Type: community/political
    Notes: Merged with West Side (1883-1902?) to form Independence Enterprise and West Side (1902? -1904).
    Holdings:
    HER: 1895, 1900, 1901 (incomplete holdings)
    IND: 1894-1902 (microfilm)
    ORU: 1894-1901 (incomplete)
    Available Online (link in title)

    Independence Enterprise & West Side
    1902-1904
    Frequency: weekly?
    Type: community
    Notes: Published by K.E. Gray. Merger of Independence West Side (1883-1903?) and Independence Enterprise (1894-1908?). Becomes: West Side Enterprise (1904-1908).
    Holdings:
    HER: 1902-1904 (paper – incomplete)
    IND: 1902-1904(microfilm: [film with Independence Enterprise])
    ORU: 1902-1904 (incomplete)
    Available Online (link in title)

    West Side Enterprise
    Jan. 14, 1904-Oct. 8, 1908
    Frequency: weekly/semi-weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: Prior name: Independence Enterprise and West Side (1902-1904). Becomes: Independence Enterprise (1908-1969).
    Holdings:
    HER: 1904, 1905, 1908 (incomplete)
    IND: 1905-[1911?] (microfilm)
    > Available Online (link in title)

    Independence Enterprise
    Oct 15, 1908-June 26, 1969
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: Published by C.E. Hicks. Previous title: West Side Enterprise (1905-1908).
    Merged with Monmouth Herald to form Independence Enterprise Monmouth Herald (1969-1975).
    Holdings:
    HER 1963-1968 (paper)
    IND 1911-1973(?) (microfilm)
    OHS 1968-1969 (microfilm)
    ORU 1908-1913, 1917-1969 (incomplete)
    > Available Online (link in title)

    Independence Monitor
    Aug. 1 [?], 1912 to July 6, 1918
    Frequency: weekly.
    Type: community
    Notes: Published by G.A. Hurley.
    Holdings:
    HER 1912-1913 (incomplete)
    ORU 1912-1918 (microfilm)
    > Available Online (link in title)

    Weekly Visitor
    [1913-1915?]
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community?
    Notes: None
    Holdings:
    ORU: 1913-1915 (microfilm – incomplete?)

    Farmers Union News
    [1917-1929]
    Frequency: monthly?
    Type: local agriculture
    Notes: apparently published in various counties; 1925-1928 published in Independence, Polk County.
    Holdings:
    HER: 1925, 1927-1928 (incomplete)
    OSU: 1917-1929 (microfilm)

    Western Youth
    [1918?]
    Frequency: weekly?
    Type: children’s?
    Notes: None
    Holdings:
    HER: April – May 1918

    Polk County Post
    March 26, 1918? – Dec. 16, 1921?
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: Not listed in History of Oregon Newspapers.
    Holdings:
    HER: 1918-1919, 1921 (incomplete)
    ORU: 1918-1921 (microfilm)
    > Available Online (link in title)

    West Salem Mail
    Dec. 8, 1938-Dec. 28, 1939
    Frequency: [weekly?]
    Type: community
    Notes: Not listed in History of Oregon Newspapers.
    Holdings:
    HER: 1938-1939 (paper)
    ORU: 1938-1939 (microfilm)

    Panther Press
    Oct. 16, 1950-present
    Frequency: initially biweekly during school year; now monthly during school year.
    Type: high school
    Notes: printed for Central High School by the Swenson brothers of Monmouth, 1950-1966
    Holdings:
    MON: 1950-1966

    Independence Enterprise Monmouth Herald
    July 3, 1969-May 26, 1975
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Merger of Independence Enterprise (1908-1969) and Monmouth Herald (1908-1969)
    Becomes: Independence Enterprise (1975-1979)
    Notes: published by H.V. Irvine.
    Holdings:
    MON: 1970-1974 (microfilm)
    OHS: 1969-1975 (microfilm)
    ORU: 1969-1975

    Independence Enterprise
    1975-1979
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Merged with Monmouth Polk Sun (1976-1979) to form Sun-Enterprise (1979-1980)
    Notes: published by F. Parchman.
    Holdings:
    HER: 1975 (incomplete)
    OHS: 1975 (microfilm – incomplete)
    ORU: 1975 (incomplete)

    MONMOUTH NEWSPAPERS

    Christian Messenger
    Oct. 8, 1870- May 17, 1877
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: religious(?)
    Notes: T.F. Campbell, publisher. “Established to help publicize and build up [Christian College in Monmouth].”
    Holdings:
    HER: May 15, 1875
    IND: 1870-1877 (microfilm)
    MON: Aug. 12, 1871 (poor condition)
    ORU: 1870-1871, 1875-1877 (incomplete)
    Available Online (link in title)

    Pacific Christian Messenger
    May 13, 1877 – Dec. 23, 1881
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: religious
    Notes: Published by Messenger Publishing Company. Former title: Christian Messenger. Becomes: Christian Herald (1877-1881).
    Holdings:
    IND: 1877-1880 (microfilm)
    ORU: 1877-1881 (incomplete)

    Christian Herald
    [1882-1887?]
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: religious
    Note: published by D. T. Stanley. Former title: Pacific Christian Messenger (1877-1881).
    Holdings:
    IND: 1882-1887 (microfilm)
    ORU: 1882-1887 (microfilm – incomplete)

    Monmouth Herald
    Sept. 4, 1908-June 26, 1969
    Frequency: weekly
    Merged with Independence Enterprise (1908-1969) to form Independence Enterprise Monmouth Herald.
    Type: community
    Notes: Published and edited by the Swenson family from 1916 to 1969. ORULS note: “Acorn Press”.
    Holdings:
    HER: 1908-1909, 1912-1918, 1920-1968, 1968-1969.
    MON: 1908-1969 (microfilm except for May 26, 1949 and June 29, 1969)
    Available Online (link in title)

    Lamron
    1924-1989
    Frequency: mostly weekly
    Type: collegiate
    Notes: Student newspaper for the Oregon College of Education, later Western Oregon State College. Becomes: Western Star (1989-1999)
    Holdings:
    MON: 1930-1959
    Available Online (link in title)

    OCEAN (Oregon College of Education Alumni Newsletter)
    1943-1985
    Frequency: quarterly
    Type: collegiate (alumni)
    Notes: Alumni publication for the Oregon College of Education, later Western Oregon State College. Becomes: Alumni Newsletter (1986-1999)
    Holdings:
    MON: 1950-1958
    WOU: 1943-1985 (bound with LAMRON)

    Independence Enterprise Monmouth Herald
    July 3,1969-May 26,1975
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: published by H.V. Irvine. Merger of Independence Enterprise (1908-1969) and Monmouth Herald (1908-1969). Becomes: Independence Enterprise (1975-1979).
    Holdings:
    MON: 1970-1974
    OHS: 1969-1975 (microfilm)
    ORU: 1969-1975

    The Polk Sun
    Nov 5, 1970-Jan. 14, 1976.
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: Becomes: Monmouth Polk Sun (1976-1979).
    Holdings:
    HER April & Dec 1975
    IND: 1970-1976 (microfilm)
    MON: 1970-1976 (microfilm)
    ORU: 1970-1976

    The Monmouth Polk Sun
    Jan. 21, 1976-to May 9, 1979.
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: Prior title: Polk Sun (1970-1976). Merged with Independence Enterprise (1969-1975) to form Sun Enterprise (1979-1980).
    Holdings:
    HER: 1978-1979 (incomplete)
    IND: 1976-1979 (microfilm)
    ORU: 1976-1979

    Sun-Enterprise
    May 16, 1979 to Feb. 20, 1980.
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: Merger of the Polk Sun (1976-1979) and the Independence Enterprise (1969-1975).
    Becomes: Monmouth-Independence and Sun-Enterprise (1980-1992).
    Holdings:
    HER: 1979-1980 (incomplete)
    IND: 1979-1980 (microfilm)

    Monmouth and Independence Sun-Enterprise
    Feb. 20, 1980-Dec. 16, 1992
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: community
    Notes: Published by C. Lockwood. Prior title: Sun Enterprise (1979-1980). Merged with the Itemizer-Observer (1927-1990) to form: Polk County Itemizer Observer (1992-present).
    Holdings:
    HER: 1981
    IND: 1980-1983 (microfilm)
    ORU: 1980-1992

    Western Star
    1989-1999
    Frequency: weekly
    Type: collegiate
    Notes: Publication of Western Oregon State College, later Western Oregon University. Becomes: Western Journal (2000-present)
    Holdings:
    WOU: 1989-1999 (online)

    VALSETZ NEWSPAPERS

    Valsetz Mountain Echo
    [1961-1966?]
    Frequency: irregular; most often every five weeks
    Type: community
    Notes: Not found in any consulted sources.
    Holdings:
    DAL: 1961-1966 (incomplete)

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