The ''Independent Record'' (often abbreviated to ''IR'') is a daily
newspaper
A newspaper is a Periodical literature, periodical publication containing written News, information about current events and is often typed in black ink with a white or gray background.
Newspapers can cover a wide variety of fields such as p ...
printed and distributed in
Helena, Montana. The newspaper is part of the
Lee Enterprises
Lee Enterprises, Inc. is a publicly traded American media company. It publishes 77 daily newspapers in 26 states, and more than 350 weekly, classified, and specialty publications. Lee Enterprises was founded in 1890 by Alfred Wilson Lee and is b ...
group.
History
The roots of the ''IR'' lie in two newspapers that were founded in 1867, ''The Daily Herald'' of
Helena and ''The Weekly Independent'' of
Deer Lodge.
''The Daily Herald'' started publishing in Helena on August 2, 1867. ''The Weekly Independent'' started publishing in Deer Lodge on October 12, 1867, and then moved to Helena in March 1874, and began publication as ''The Daily Independent'', and then, in 1875, as ''The Helena Independent''.
The ''Herald'' later merged with ''The Montana Daily Record'', which was founded in August 1900. The new publication was renamed ''The Montana Record-Herald''. Additionally, on November 22, 1943, another merger followed: this time with ''The Helena Independent'', to become the ''Independent Record''.
After over thirty years of ownership by the
Anaconda Copper Mining Company
The Anaconda Copper Mining Company, known as the Amalgamated Copper Company between 1899 to 1915, was an American mining company headquartered in Butte, Montana. It was one of the largest trusts of the early 20th century and one of the largest mi ...
, the ''IR'' was sold to Lee Enterprises in 1959. The ''IR'' converted from
hot metal
''Hot Metal'' (1986–88) is a British sitcom produced by London Weekend Television about the newspaper industry.
Written by David Renwick and Andrew Marshall, it is very much a continuation in style from their previous sitcom '' Whoops Apoc ...
to
phototype in 1973, and in 1975, installed one of the first newsroom computer systems. In the summer of 2002, a new press plant was opened and housed in a new printing and distribution center.
See also
*
Montana Free Press, an
investigative journalism
Investigative journalism is a form of journalism in which reporters deeply investigate a single topic of interest, such as serious crimes, political corruption, or corporate wrongdoing. An investigative journalist may spend months or years res ...
organization based in Helena, Montana
References
External links
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Newspapers published in Montana
Lee Enterprises publications
Helena, Montana
1867 establishments in Montana Territory
Daily newspapers published in the United States
Newspapers established in 1867
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