Early Newspapers

From the first newspaper, The Palladium, to the current Advance News, newspapers have been an integral part of Ogdensburg, providing a record of events and shaping public opinion.

In a world where only 24% of Americans still read newspapers, it is important to remember the words of journalist and historian Arthur Miller: "the newspaper is the first rough draft of history." Despite the rise of digital media, newspapers remain a vital source of information, capturing and preserving events as they happen, even if the information is not yet perfect or fully developed. They serve as a reliable source of local, national, and global news, offering in-depth analysis on a wide range of topics.

The growth of newspapers in the mid-19th century was fueled by several factors. Technological advancements such as the telegraph and steam-powered presses allowed for faster printing and distribution of news. The rise of cities and higher literacy rates created a larger audience for newspapers, and the introduction of the penny press made it affordable for working-class individuals to purchase daily papers. Additionally, the development of canals and railroads made it easier to distribute newspapers across the country.

The growth of newspapers in Ogdensburg mirrored the trend seen throughout the nation. The first attempt to publish a newspaper Ogdensburg was The Palladium, which began printing in 1810 and continued until 1814, even during the War of 1812 when paper was scarce. Financed by entrepreneur David Parish, this weekly paper advocated the Federalist party platform but also provided advertising and current events. Other early newspapers in Ogdensburg included the St. Lawrence Gazette (1815-1830) and the Northern Light (1831-1838), which also had political leanings but featured local news and advertisements.

The invention of the telegraph by Samuel Morse in the mid-1800s brought about significant changes in the newspaper industry. The first telegraph office in the North County was opened in Prescott in 1847. This line from Buffalo to Halifax spanned 1,400 miles, allowing for the quick transmission of international news, which was then published in newspapers. By 1850, telegraph lines linked Ogdensburg to Boston and Syracuse, and the village had two weekly newspapers, the St. Lawrence Republican and the Daily Sentinel, both of which heavily featured advertising and political promotion but also included local news. The Daily Sentinel's owner and editor, Stillman Foote, boasted of having the latest news from the Prescott telegraph office.

Over the years, several other newspapers emerged in Ogdensburg, including the Ogdensburg News, Ogdensburg Star, and Daily Advance, which later became the Advance News. The Ogdensburgh Advance, owned by George Darrow in 1867, was known for promoting women's suffrage and the prohibition of alcohol.

Newspapers continued to play a role in promoting political agendas, as seen in the St. Lawrence American, published by Edwin Holbrook in 1855, which supported the American or Know-Nothing Party. One of the party's platforms was "Americans must rule America," and Holbrook was chosen as a delegate for Millard Fillmore, who was elected president. Other newspapers in Ogdensburg during this time included the Ogdensburgh Forum (1848-1852), the Daily Morning News, the Weekly News, the Ogdensburgh Daily Times (1852), and the St. Lawrence Republican, which was Democratic in a predominantly Republican county until 1854.

One unique newspaper in Ogdensburg was the Boys Daily Journal, started in 1855 by four teenagers. It later became the Ogdensburg Republican Journal and eventually the Ogdensburg Journal. Notably, it reported on the Woodford Mansion Fire, the home of the Henry Bell Van Rensselaer family, and the dedication of St. Mary's Cathedral both of which occurred in 1855.

Nowadays we have a 24-hour news cycle, and viewers can watch events unfold in real-time. However, in the 19th century, newspapers were the primary source of information, providing a record of events and shaping public opinion. Thanks to the daily and weekly papers in Ogdensburg, the city’s history is well-documented, highlighting the vital role that newspapers have played in the community for centuries. From the first newspaper, The Palladium, to the current Advance News, newspapers have been an integral part of Ogdensburg, informing and connecting its residents and preserving its history for future generations.