The ''Asbury Park Press'', formerly known as the ''Shore Press'', ''Daily Press'', ''Asbury Park Daily Press'', and ''Asbury Park Evening Press'', is the third largest daily newspaper in the state of New Jersey. Established in 1879, it has been owned by

Gannett Gannett Co., Inc. ( ) is an American mass media holding company headquartered in New York City. It is the largest U.S. newspaper publisher as measured by total daily circulation. It owns the national newspaper ''USA Today'', as well as several ...

since 1997. The newspaper is part of the

USA Today ''USA Today'' (often stylized in all caps) is an American daily middle-market newspaper and news broadcasting company. Founded by Al Neuharth in 1980 and launched on September 14, 1982, the newspaper operates from Gannett's corporate headq ...

Network. It has a history of winning and almost winning national awards for its public service and investigative reporting.

Early history

The ''Asbury Park Press'' was founded under the name ''Shore Press'' in 1879 by Dr. Hugh S. Kinmonth; a publication that was only published once a week. In October 1884 the paper was sold at auction to S. T. Hendrickson and W. W. Conover; men who already owned a considerable amount of stock in the newspaper. Hendrickson and Conover in turn sold the paper to the brothers Roderic C. Penfield and Norman W. Penfield in December 1884. The brothers owned the publishing and editing firm Penfield Bros. and took over the publishing and editing of the newspaper at this point with Norman serving as managing editor. The Penfield brothers significantly expanded the physical size of the ''Shore Press'', improved the quality of the journalism, and made innovative improvements to the design and layout of the paper. In June 1887 the brothers founded the ''Daily Press'' as a companion publication to the ''Shore Press''. When initially established, the ''Daily Press'' was published every weekday morning during the summer months. The brothers continued to own and operate the paper into the year 1895. In August 1895 public notice was given on the financial problems of the Penfield Bros. firm, and the following September the firm was declared bankrupt in orphans court. Following the bankruptcy of the Penfields, the ''Shore Press'', ''Daily Press'', and the Penfield's publishing plant in Asbury Park were purchased by Dr. Hugh S. Kinmonth at an assignee's sale in October 1895. Kinmonth sold the paper to his nephew, Lyle J. Kinmoth, and after several months of non-publication the paper was relaunched as the ''Asbury Park Daily Press'' on March 30, 1896. Under his leadership the ''Daily Press'' expanded into a year-round daily publication, with the ''Shore Press'' serving as the paper's Sunday publication through 1904. The ''Asbury Daily Press'' was renamed the ''Asbury Park Evening Press'' beginning with the Monday, June 22, 1903, publication of the paper. It was published under that name until 1974 when its name became the ''Asbury Park Press'', beginning with the Monday, September 30, 1974, publication.Asbury Park Press, 30 September 1974, p. 1

Awards

References

External links

''Asbury Park Press'' official siteMobile website
* {{Authority control Newspapers published in New Jersey Gannett publications Asbury Park, New Jersey Newspapers established in 1879 1879 establishments in New Jersey