Akron Beacon Journal
In 1897, two distinct newspapers joined forces to create a single morning publication in Akron, Ohio. The Summit Beacon had been running since 1839 while the Akron Evening Journal began operations just one year prior in 1896. This merger established the entity that would become known as the Akron Beacon Journal. It stands today as the sole daily newspaper serving Akron and its surrounding areas in Northeast Ohio. The paper focuses heavily on local news coverage for the community.
Charles Landon Knight purchased the paper in 1903 after it had already been operating for over three decades. His son John S. Knight inherited ownership following Charles death in 1933. Under the Knights leadership the publication became the flagship of what was later called Knight Ridder. McClatchy Company acquired Knight Ridder in June 2006 with plans to sell twelve of their newspapers. On the 2nd of August 2006 McClatchy sold the Beacon Journal to Black Press. GateHouse Media subsequently bought the newspaper in 2018.
The Akron Beacon Journal printed its final edition using its own presses on the 11th of November 2013. After this date the paper utilized printing facilities at The Repository located in Canton, Ohio. Both publications were owned by GateHouse during this period. At another point the paper used presses from The Plain Dealer in Cleveland. This shift marked a significant change in how the organization produced physical copies for distribution across Summit County.
Herman Fetzer wrote under the pen name Jake Falstaff for readers of the Akron Times and Cleveland Press. He began his column Pippins and Cheese in 1920 while working as a suburban reporter. The title came directly from William Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor. Josephine Van De Grift served as a columnist writing pieces titled Demi-Tasse and Mrs. Grundy. Her desk sat adjacent to Herman Fetzers when they both worked at the Beacon Journal. Sheldon Ocker covered the Cleveland Indians team and received the J. G. Taylor Spink Award in 2018. Terry Pluto has written more than twenty books focusing on Northeast Ohio sports.
John S. Knight won the 1968 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing based on Vietnam War weekly notebook columns. The newspaper received the 1971 prize for General Local Reporting regarding coverage of the Kent State Shootings. In 1987 editors earned recognition for General News Reporting about potential Goodyear takeover events known as The Goodyear War. A series called A Question of Color won the 1994 Public Service award for its work on race relations. These four awards highlight decades of significant journalism produced by the staff.
Continue Browsing
Common questions
When was the Akron Beacon Journal established?
The Akron Beacon Journal was established in 1897 when two distinct newspapers joined forces to create a single morning publication. The Summit Beacon had been running since 1839 while the Akron Evening Journal began operations just one year prior in 1896.
Who owns the Akron Beacon Journal today?
GateHouse Media bought the newspaper in 2018 after McClatchy sold it to Black Press on the 2nd of August 2006. It stands today as the sole daily newspaper serving Akron and its surrounding areas in Northeast Ohio.
Where does the Akron Beacon Journal print its physical copies now?
The paper utilizes printing facilities at The Repository located in Canton, Ohio after printing its final edition using its own presses on the 11th of November 2013. Both publications were owned by GateHouse during this period.
Which columnist wrote under the pen name Jake Falstaff for the Akron Times?
Herman Fetzer wrote under the pen name Jake Falstaff for readers of the Akron Times and Cleveland Press. He began his column Pippins and Cheese in 1920 while working as a suburban reporter.
What Pulitzer Prize did John S. Knight win for the Akron Beacon Journal?
John S. Knight won the 1968 Pulitzer Prize for Editorial Writing based on Vietnam War weekly notebook columns. His son inherited ownership following Charles death in 1933 before the publication became part of Knight Ridder.