Photos and newspaper pages from the archives of the Wisconsin State Journal, which today marks the 175th anniversary of its first publication.
1852: First edition of the Wisconsin Daily Journal
The first edition of the Wisconsin State Journal, then called the Wisconsin Daily Journal, on Sept. 30, 1852. After a few days as the "Daily Journal," it switched to its current title, Wisconsin State Journal.
1859: Pinckney St.
Pinckney Street, in about 1859, looking west from the corner of Main and Pinckney streets. The large building on the corner of Pinckney and East Washington Avenue is Bruen's Block, constructed in 1853 and home of the Wisconsin State Journal. The white building across East Washington Ave. is the American House Hotel, the site where the Wisconsin Legislature first met in Madison.
1881: State Journal office on East Washington Ave. with David Atwood
Outside the Wisconsin State Journal office on East Washington Avenue, circa 1881. David Atwood, second from left with white beard, and a partner created the paper after buying the former Madison Express.
Atwood first editor
David Atwood, first editor of the paper.
1890s: Wisconsin State Journal offices
The State Journal offices back in the horse-and-buggy days of the 1890s were just off the Capitol Square in Madison along the first block of East Washington Avenue.
1895-1900: State Journal staff
Wisconsin State Journal staff outside the office on East Washington Avenue, circa 1895-1900. From left are Robert Slightam, printer; Walter Reimer, linotype operator; Herbert Schillinger, “printer’s devil;” Alvin Shower, printer; Michael Wald, sterotyper; Gladys Fowler, proofreader; Frank Esser, makeup man; Mrs. Klusman-Wissler, proofreader; Charles Wald, foreman of the book department; Amos P. Wilder, editor and publisher; Grace Green, proofreader; Thomas S. Morris, business manager; Edward Wissler, business office; “Ned” Jordan, reporter; Red W. Arthur, proofreader; George S. Post, foreman of the press room; Carl Morris, business office; Theordore Wilson, linotype machine operator; and Ben Parsons, foreman of the job department.
1924: State Journal staff
Staff of the Wisconsin State Journal from January 1924.
Celebrating new home, 1926
A special edition March 21, 1926, celebrates the State Journal's new offices.
Celebrating new offices, 1926
Special edition celebrating the State Journal's new offices on March 21, 1926.
Facts about the press, 1926
Part of a special section that ran March 21, 1926, celebrating the State Journal's new offices.
'World famous authors and artists' work here
Special section March 21, 1926, showcases well-known staffers.
Photographer Art Vinje, 1926
State Journal photographer Arthur M. Vinje in 1926. He became the paper's first photographer in 1914 and retired in 1962.
Paper delivery, 1939
Men unload large rolls of paper at the Wisconsin State Journal offices, 115 S. Carroll St., on Jan. 19, 1939.
City staff, 1949
Elevated view of the "City Room" staff, Jan. 28, 1949. Photo taken by Art Vinje.
Editorial staff, 1947
Editorial staff of the Wisconsin State Journal gathered around a table. Left to right: Harold McClelland, state editor; (sitting) Lawrence Fitzpatrick, city editor; (standing) Joseph Caposella; (woman) Louise Marston, society editor; (standing) William Doudna, news editor; (sitting) Henry McCormick, sports Editor. Photo taken by Art Vinje on May 8, 1947.
Madison Newspapers Inc., 1949
A new Madison Newspapers Inc. sign sits outside the State Journal building at 115 S. Carroll St., on Aug. 30, 1949. The State Journal and The Capital Times launched MNI, now called Capital Newspapers, that year to run their combined business, advertising and production departments. The papers, to this day, remain editorially independent.
Roundy Coughlin, 1949
Sports columnist Roundy Coughlin talks to his secretary, Edith Goodman, Jan. 28, 1949. Photo taken by Art Vinje.
Switchboard operators, 1952
Four staff members and a view of the switchboard wall that operates the presses at the offices of the State Journal at 115 S. Carroll St. Photo taken by Art Vinje on July 15, 1952.
Press crew, 1952
Printing press staff at the Wisconsin State Journal offices on Oct. 7, 1952. Photo taken by Art Vinje.
Newsroom, 1954
Staff members work in the newsroom on March 2, 1954. Photo taken by Art Vinje.
1960s: Newspaper carrier
A Wisconsin State Journal paperboy in the 1960s
Conference for correspondents, 1961
A scene from the annual Wisconsin State Journal correspondents' conference showing editorial staff members standing in front of a large group of local correspondents on Nov. 4, 1961. Left to right: Harold McClelland, state editor; Lawrence Fitzpatrick, managing editor; and Steven Hopkins, assistant state editor.
Newsroom on election night, 1964
The State Journal newsroom on election night Nov. 3, 1964.
1969: Newsroom staff with 20+ years experience
Wisconsin State Journal newsroom staff with at least 20 years of service in 1969. Left to right front: June Dieckmann, Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Louise Marston and Helen M. Rupp. Left to right back: Harold Mcclelland, John Newhouse, Robert Bjorklund, Joseph "Roundy" Coughlin, Monte Mccormick, Joseph "Cappy" Capossela, Glenn Miller, Joe Dommershausen and Fred Curran.
1974: State Journal staff
Wisconsin State Journal staff on the 25th anniversary of "going a.m." Pictured: Bill Robbins, John Newhouse, Don Davies, June Dieckmann, Bill Wineke, Glenn Miller, Bob Bjorklund, Murph Wolman, Richard Jaeger, Ward Remington, Tom Butler, L. Roger Turner, Don Lindstrom, Joe Dommershausen, Roger Cantwell, Steve Hopkins, Patricia Simms, George Hesselberg, Roger Gribble, Sharon Behnke and Cliff Behnke.
1974: New offices being built
New offices for Madison Newspapers Inc., including the State Journal and Capital Times, being built Aug. 3, 1974 at 1901 Fish Hatchery Road.
1975: South Carroll Street newsroom
Wisconsin State Journal newsroom at South Carroll Street. Fred Sacksteder - far left; Peter Fox - near right; Ward Remington - second from left; Cliff Behnke - near center; Richard Jaeger - in back right, dark hair and shirt, mustache.
State Journal newsroom being built 1975, generic file photo
The State Journal newsroom is being built at the new Madison Newspapers Inc. offices at 1901 Fish Hatchery Road on Nov. 2, 1975. The State Journal and The Capital Times moved to the new location in south Madison.
1980: State Journal staff photo
Staff of the Wisconsin State Journal, about 1980.
1981: State Journal copy desk
Copy desk in the Wisconsin State Journal newsroom in 1981. Lower front to left around the table: Stan Schmitt, Pete Hilan, John Aehl, Mark Tatge, Fred Reibe. Sports copy desk in background. Steve Hopkins reading the bulletin board.
1989: Newsroom staff
Staff of the Wisconsin State Journal newsroom in December 1989.
1994: Staff Christmas photo
About half the staff of the Wisconsin State Journal gathered for a staff Christmas photo on Dec. 23, 1994. Close observers will notice new computers along with new faces in this year's newsroom.
1998: Staff photo
State Journal staff in the newsroom at 1901 Fish Hatchery Road in December 1998.
2011: Staff photo
Wisconsin State Journal gather for a photo outside the office at 1901 Fish Hatchery Road.
2012: Pultizer breaking news finalist
Wisconsin State Journal staff react April 16, 2012, to the announcement that the newspaper placed as a finalist in the Breaking News category in the 2012 Pulitzer Prize contest.
The Wisconsin State Journal grew up with Madison and Wisconsin, using its editorial voice to champion honest government, civic causes and greater prosperity
