On this day in 1837, Grand Rapids' first newspaper, the Grand River Times, was published after a challenging journey. The printing press, bought from the Niagara Falls Journal, faced multiple obstacles, including a shipwreck and sinking in the river, before finally making it to its destination.
TRANSCRIPT
It had a heckuva time getting there, but eventually, Grand Rapids had its first newspaper publish today in 1837. The Kent Company realizing the need for news bought a press from the Niagara Falls Journal for $4000 dollars but while traveling though the great lakes, it’s shipping vessel wrecked off of Thunder Bay Island. It was salvaged and made its way to Grand Haven where it was then bought by George W. Pattison who brought the heavy printing press up river in the winter across the ice using sled dogs. But a few miles away from Grand Rapids, it broke the ice and went to the bottom of the river, where again it was salvaged and made its way to the final destination. After drying it off and repairing it, today in 1837, issue 1 of the Grand River Times, the first newspaper for Grand Rapids was finally was published.