General information about the history printing in Red River Valley.

The first newspaper to be published in northern Dakota was the The Fontier Scout. It was issued at Fort Union in 1864 according to the 1989 North Dakota Blue Book, edited by Curt Ericksmoen. http://www.state.nd.us/hist/chrono.htm#1800

On July 11, 1873, Colonel Clement A. Lounsberry published the first issue of the Bismarck Tribune, now North Dakota's oldest newspaper.

In 1874 The Fargo Express, first newspaper in the Red River Valley, began publication.

	The Grand Forks Herald was founded in 1879, by George Winship. "It will be the peoples paper" he said. The paper was first a weekly, and in March of 1881, it was issued semi-weekly. The first number of the daily was issued Nov 1st, 1881.

The North Dakota Newspaper Law of 1905 required official newspapers to provide two copies to the State Historical Society of North Dakota. http://www.state.nd.us/hist/newshome.htm
 

click for a listing of current newspapers in ND

1886 The Bank of Hamilton (oldest bank in North Dakota) was first opened.

Grand Forks Illustrated 

                Pages 68 -69

GRAND FORKS is indebted for a large share of its prosperity to its newspapers, all of which have done a yeoman's service in building up the city and promoting its interests, proclaiming its advantages and in assisting its various public enterprises.

The Grand Forks Plaindealer has the honor of being the oldest newspaper in North Dakota, having been established in November, 1874, by Hon. Geo. IL Walsh. In 1880 the paper was purchased by W. J. Murphy, who in May, 1882, issued the first number of the daily edition. In 1889, the paper and plant was purchased by a stock company organized for the purpose. In 1893, after numerous changes, the paper was purchased by W. E. McKenzie of Crookston, and E. C. Carruth, who is the resident manager and active proprietor. The Plaindealer has had a remarkable growth under the present management, and enjoys an extensive circulation. The plant has been newly equipped through­out and is one of the most complete in the state. The Plaindealer is the only democratic daily in North Dakota. Mr. Carruth is also well known throughout the state as the secretary of the Democratic State Central committee. He is one of Grand Forks' most successful, enterprising, and popular business men. 

The Grand Forks Herald was established in 1879, by Geo.B. Winship, who has continued its publication since that date. The paper was at first a weekly, and in March, 1881, it was issued semi-weekly. The first number of the daily was issued Nov, 1st, 18811. The Herald has grown steadily with the building up of the city and tributary country, and has now not only the largest circulation (if any daily in the state, but is recognized as the leading republican paper of the northwest. The Herald has always been the champion of the city's best t interests and has labored indefatigably for the material advancement of the city. Editorially it is fearless in its cham­pionship of the right, and aggressive against evil in whatever form. The news service of the Herald is unexcelled, covering not only the local field, but giving the full associated press telegraphic reports, supplemented by specials from a small army of correspondents. State news is made a special feature, and as an advertising medium the paper is unequalled. The Herald occupies, in the elegant Herald block shown in the accompanying engraving, the finest newspaper quarters west of St. Paul, and has also the largest and most complete job printing and book binding establishment in the state. The Herald's equipment for the manufacture of blank books, record books, bank and county supplies, blanks, etc., is complete, and in connection with this department does a large business in stationery. Mr. Winship, the proprietor and editor in chief of the Herald, is one of Grand Forks' pioneer settlers who has been largely identified with the growth and prosperity of the city.

The Normanden is not only the largest paper in the state, but is recognized as the leading Scandinavian paper in the west. It also has the largest circulation of any paper in the state and is recognized and appreciated as one of the best advertising mediums in the country. The Normanden is published by the Normanden. Publishing Company, a controlling interest in which is held by the secretary and manager, Mr. P. O. Thorson, to whose able management for the past five years much of the success of the paper is due.

The Northwest News was established in 1884 by W. R. Bierly, who continued its publication until 1896. The paper has recently passed into the hands of R. N. Stevens, of Bismarck, who is now its publisher. The Northwest News is republican in politics, and is issued every Friday.