Newspaper
Portland's first newspaper, the "Portland Advertiser," was established by J. H. Wickwire and the first number appeared in October, 1867, being printed in Grand Rapids. Joseph W. Bailey purchased a half-interest and after a year became editor and sole owner.
The name was changed to the "Portland Observer" in 1870. The office was on the third floor of the Masonic Block until fire destroyed that building. The next recorded location is above the building at 171 Kent St. The picture below shows this establishment with the editor, Cornelius D. Tomy, who had purchased the paper from Lew Cutcheon in 1907.
In later years the Observer was in the building at 234 Kent and shortly after the death of its editor, R. I. Griswold, it was bought and consolida
ted with the "Portland Review." This paper was established by Frank Doremus in 1885 and was printed on the second floor at 144-146 Kent St. In 1938 it moved to the ground floor at 118 Kent. In 1904 Fred Mauren, Sr. took over. When he retired in 1937, his son, Fred, Jr., became editor.
The next year he purchased the plant and subscription list of the Observer and the two papers became one in 1939. A new building was constructed at 333 Kent St. in 1948 and after the death of Fred Mauren, Jr., the paper was in control of his children, John, Richard, and Margaret, from whom the business was purchased in 1964 by Jay Blackmore.
Shown right: "The Three Freds," l to r: J. Frederick Mauren, Fred J. Mauren, Fred J. Mauren, Sr.
