For 130 years, Plant City Courier has served the community
By Dave Nicholson, Tampa Tribune, Fla. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
He has the scars to prove it.
Elston was a seventh-grader helping out in the press room in 1944 when his right hand was caught in some machinery. A doctor couldn't save his middle finger and he was left with scars on two others.
Elston still treasures his time at the paper, where he did a little bit of everything. He was hired at age 12 at a time when employers were desperate for employees because so many men were overseas fighting World War II.
"We had a real team. We worked hard and won so many awards. I've always been proud of my time at the Courier," he said.
"People would stand outside the office...and wait for the paper to come out," the 82-year-old said.
The Courier just turned 130 years old, and the anniversary is being heralded on signs on area
In light of the landmark year, we're looking back and highlighting some of the Courier's history.
The first edition of what was then called the
The founder and publisher was Capt.
Around the turn of the century, the paper's name evolved into the
A fire in 1910 destroyed much of the paper's offices and most if not all the early editions. But the Merrin family never missed an edition by printing the paper in
There were a number of owners after the Merrins sold it, including
Elston said there was a staff of about eight when he went to work, and all the employees, including the Cookes, shared in the duties of getting the paper out each week.
During Cooke's time, he successfully led a campaign to establish Courier Field, a city park at
"He was the kind of a person who could get things done. When he wrote an editorial, people paid attention," said Elston, who left the staff in 1951 to attend the University of
After a stint in the
The paper has had a number of owners over the years, including
The one thing that has remained constant over the years: the paper's commitment to the community. The paper circulates nearly 13,000 copies each Wednesday in
Elston said he continues to be an eager reader.
"Even when I was in the
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