''The Augusta Chronicle'' is the 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 poli ...
of
Augusta, Georgia
Augusta is a city on the central eastern border of the U.S. state of Georgia (U.S. state), Georgia. The city lies directly across the Savannah River from North Augusta, South Carolina at the head of its navigable portion. Augusta, the third mos ...
, and is one of the oldest newspapers in the
United States
The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...
still in publication. The paper is known for its coverage of the
Masters Tournament
The Masters Tournament (usually referred to as simply the Masters, or as the U.S. Masters outside North America) is one of the four men's major championships in professional golf. Scheduled for the first full week in April, the Masters is the ...
, which is played in Augusta.
History
The paper was founded as the weekly ''Augusta Gazette'' in 1785. In 1786, the paper was renamed ''The Georgia State Gazette''. From 1789 to 1804, the paper was known as ''The Augusta Chronicle and Gazette of the State''.
Patrick Walsh, later a
U.S. Senator
The United States Senate is a chamber of the bicameral United States Congress; it is the upper house, with the U.S. House of Representatives being the lower house. Together, the Senate and House have the authority under Article One of the ...
, joined the editorial staff in 1866 and became owner in 1873.
In 1945, former bookkeeper William Morris Jr. bought a controlling interest in the paper. This was the beginning of
Morris Communications
Morris Communications, headquartered in Augusta, Georgia, is a privately held media company with diversified holdings that include magazine publishing, outdoor advertising, book publishing and distribution, visitor publications, and online serv ...
, headquartered in Augusta with the ''Chronicle'' as its flagship.
In addition to a daily online edition, the entire archives back to its founding have been made searchable on the Internet.
On 9 August 2017, it was announced that ''The Augusta Chronicle,'' along with Morris Communications' entire newspaper division and various
periodicals
Periodical literature (singularly called a periodical publication or simply a periodical) consists of Publication, published works that appear in new releases on a regular schedule (''issues'' or ''numbers'', often numerically divided into annu ...
, would be sold to
GateHouse Media
GateHouse Media Inc. was an American publisher of locally based print and digital media. It published 144 daily newspapers, 684 community publications, and over 569 local-market websites in 38 states. Its parent company, New Media Investment Group ...
for $120 million in a deal expected to close on October 2. Stephen Wade and Billy Morris will retain their roles as president and publisher respectively. The Morris family will keep ownership of ''The Augusta Chronicle'' building and property in downtown Augusta.
The sale ended 232 years of local ownership, the last 72 of which had been under the Morris family.
Subsidiaries
Newspapers published by the ''Chronicle'' include ''The Columbia County News-Times'', ''The Hampton County Guardian'', ''The Jefferson News-Farmer'', and the ''Sylvania Telephone''.
See also
*
Media in Augusta, Georgia
Media outlets in the Augusta, Georgia (United States) market include eight television stations, 24 FM radio stations, nine AM radio stations, one Internet radio station and numerous print media.
Television
All broadcast television stations a ...
*
References
Further reading
* Earl L. Bell and Kenneth C. Crabbe, The Augusta Chronicle: Indomitable Voice of Dixie, 1785-1960 (Athens: University of Georgia Press, 1960).
External links
''The Augusta Chronicle'' official site''The Augusta Chronicle'' official mobile site*
Morris subsidiary profile of ''The Augusta Chronicle''The Augusta Chronicle on FacebookThe Augusta Chronicle on XThe Augusta Chronicle on Instagram* https://abcas3.auditedmedia.com/MICenter/Home/Index?s=8ed040c9-0ce3-46b6-aff2-fcfcaf314b53#://abcas3.auditedmedia.com/pfc/default.aspx/
Newspapers published in Georgia (U.S. state)
Gannett publications
Mass media in Augusta, Georgia
Newspapers established in 1785
1785 establishments in Georgia (U.S. state)
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