GCP233 - Extra! Extra! Read All About It! Celebrating 170 Years w/Clinton Herald

The Grow Clinton Podcast continues its exploration of local legacy and innovation with Episode 233, featuring special guests Kayla Tegeler and Chris Mussmann from the Clinton Herald. 

If you have an idea for a guest or topic we should cover, please email podcast@growclinton.com. 

As the Herald celebrates an impressive 170 years in operation, this episode offers a compelling look at how a local newspaper has evolved alongside the community it serves.

Founded on December 18, 1856, the Clinton Herald began with just 250 copies printed by a hand press, a far cry from today’s modern publishing processes. In those early days, Clinton was a competitive news market, with as many as 8 newspapers initially and eventually growing to 16. The Herald’s first home was located on 1st Street in the Masonic Temple building, where it operated until 1857.

Like many institutions of the time, the paper faced challenges during the Civil War, temporarily suspending production before re-establishing itself in 1870. Its resilience became a defining trait, carrying over into the 20th century, when the Herald moved to its current location in 1905.

A significant chapter in the paper’s history began in 1910, when it was purchased by the W.J. Young family. The Young family's stewardship lasted more than 75 years, guiding the publication through periods of growth, technological change, and deeper community integration. In 1998, ownership transitioned to CNHI, a company that now operates 85 locally focused newspapers across the country.

Kayla and Chris also discuss the transformation in how newspapers are produced. From hand-set type and manual presses to digital layouts and off-site printing (which shifted away from Clinton in 2012), the evolution reflects broader changes in media and technology. 

The conversation also highlights a lesser-known chapter in the Herald’s story, its venture into television. In the early 1980s, under publisher Bob Evans, the Clinton Herald launched CHTV, a local television station that served the community until the early 2000s. This initiative underscored the organization’s willingness to innovate and expand how it connects with its audience.

Visit the Clinton Herald online at https://www.clintonherald.com/. 

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