Over the years, the Auburn Journal has taken on several names, including The Placer Weekly Argus, Placer County Republican, Republican Argus, Auburn Daily Journal, Placer County Journal and Placer Republican.
Republicans form The Placer Weekly Argus, which ran its first edition Sept. 13, 1872, proclaiming support for GOP candidate Ulysses S. Grant. Competing paper “The Stars and Stripes” had angered party leader with its endorsement of Horace Greeley, nominated by the Democrats under the Liberal Republican Party. James B. McQuillan was editor. When Grant won, the headline was “Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!”
First edition of the Auburn Daily Journal is published.
1914
Placer County Republican and Daily Journal merge.
1918
Truckee Republican publisher Bert A. Cassidy buys the paper, changing its name to the Auburn Journal. Cassidy was an advocate for good roads and the Journal was used to campaign for better roads in general and for a highway over the Sierra, which would become Interstate 80. In 1928, he was elected to the state Senate, where he served one term.
1919
Cassidy dies and his widow, Jane Cassidy, takes over as owner and editor. She was later succeeded by their son, B.W. Cassidy.
1950
The Journal moves from its Lincoln Way location to 1030 High St., where it still stands. In that location it begins using the modern offset press, one of the first in Northern California.
1962
The paper is incorporated, with members of the Cassidy family as principal owners. Under editor Lloyd W. Beggs, the paper wins many California Newspaper Publishers Association awards, including top recognition for general excellence.
1964
The W.J. McGiffin Newspapers (later Brehm Communications, Inc.) of South Gate purchases a controlling interest in the paper.
1965
William Pfaff is named publisher, a position he held until his retirement in 1988.
1968
Beggs retires as editor and is succeeded by Helen T. Bale. In September, the staff produces a large, multi-section “Centennial” edition showcasing community life in the century since The Placer Weekly Argus was formed. Publication is increased to twice weekly.
1972
Publication is increased to three times a week.
1976
Paper changes from mail delivery to carriers.
1978
Publication expanded to five days a week.
1979
A Sunday edition is added.
1980
A. Thomas Homer named editor; Bale becomes system manager for the computerized typesetting program introduced in 1977. Homer was succeeded by Rich Rabenau and later Roger Morton. In November, the Journal becomes a six-day-a-week publication.
1981
A pressroom addition is built and the main building remodeled, including construction of offices and conference rooms in the unused loft area.
1985
Journal publishes a special edition commemorating the 100th anniversary of Auburn’s incorporation as a city.
1988
A $1 million expansion of the Journal’s pressroom is dedicated by Bill Brehm Sr., chair of BCI. The upgrade introduces a computer-to-plate printing operation.
2003
Auburn Chamber of Commerce names the Journal ”Business of the Year.”
2007
Bill Brehm Sr. is named recipient of the Dean Lesher Award, the Suburban Newspapers of America’s highest individual honor.
2010
Gold Country Printing expands to five “4-high” color towers. Gold Country Printing, a division of Gold Country Media, publishers of the Auburn Journal, operates with five 4-high towers and five high-speed slicers, as well as a two-high and a mono unit. The press runs 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is digitally driven and touch-screen controlled. Along with the many Gold Country media products it produces, including the Auburn Journal, Gold Country Printing prints about 60 other commercial jobs from Reno to Shasta to the Bay Area all the way down to Modesto.
2011
The Journal changes to a five-day-a-week publication, printing Sunday and Tuesday-Friday. It has expanded its Web presence. Videos and slideshows are a regular feature of AuburnJournal.com, including breaking news and feature videos.
2015
Bill Brehm Sr. dies after leading Brehm Communications Inc. for more than 60 years.
2016
Mona Brehm wife of Bill Brehm Sr. dies, one day short of year from her husband’s death.
2017
The Journal added equipment so its press can run two sections at one time and upgraded the folders. Gold Country Media prints more than 200 press runs per month in addition to the Auburn Journal. The 28 production employees are spread throughout the press room, mailroom/inserting room, plate making, bindery and delivery. Collectively they take care of production services for around 63 other newspapers within a 200-mile area with Auburn as the center. The Journal relaunches as a two-day-a-week newspaper with 24/7 news coverage on AuburnJorunal.com and social media.
By Julie Miller. Article was originally published Dec. 4, 2017 on AuburnJournal.com.
