Although the Macon County Times is the oldest newspaper operating in the county (106 years), it wasn鈥檛 the first. Long ago Macon Countians got their news from different sources. The following information was taken from 鈥淗istory of Macon County鈥� by Harold G. Blankenship.
According to Blankenship, the first newspaper in Macon County was the Bellwood Jewell, published in the Willette community at Bellwood Academy. This paper was published during the 1800s. It continued until the Baptist Association took over the school. Bellwood was considered one of the finest private academies in Macon County during the latter part of that century.
Another paper, the Macon County News was also published in Macon County during the 1800s. According to Blankenship, it was a small newsletter type paper and was regularly published as the editor saw fit.
The Macon County Progressor came along in 1889. Another paper, The Republican, was published on Thursdays and had a circulation between 500 and 600 copies weekly. The paper consisted of four pages measuring 22 inches by 32 inches approximately. In July of 1891, The Star-Spangled Banner was published.
There were several others, Macon County News, The Highland Preacher, The Baptist Helper, and the Tennessee Gazette.
In June of 1919, The Macon County Times was established by the Macon County Publishing Company. The paper struggled several times due to fires and economic calamity. During the mid-1980s the Macon County Times was around 20 to 30 pages, and the price was a mere 25 cents per copy or $7 annually. No matter where you ask, people remember the Macon County Times and stories that they or a family member were part of. News is ever changing the face of communities across America, and with that change, publications change as well. Although The Macon County Times is no longer locally owned (currently owned by Paxton Media Group) it remains diligent on bringing the citizens of Macon County the news from around their county as well as community stories about the people they know and love.
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