The Fontanelle Observer

The Fontanelle Observer is an American weekly newspaper focused on the news of Fontanelle, Iowa, and founded in 1863 by the Gow brothers (one of whom was James M. Gow).[1] Its news is partly digitized via the website of the Creston News Advertiser.[2]

The Fontanelle Observer
Front page of The Fontanelle Observer from November 23, 2016
TypeWeekly newspaper
Owner(s)Shaw Media
PublisherCreston Publishing Company
Founded5 December 1863 (1863-12-05)
OCLC number12935821
Websitehttps://www.crestonnews.com/fontanelle/
The office of the newspaper, on 5th Street in Fontanelle, beside Fontanelle City Park, built in 1918 and pictured in 2019

The newspaper passed to Indiana native Manley Albert Rany (1857–1914)[3] in 1881. During his ownership, Will Pruitt also ran the paper under lease for a few years.[1]

William H. McClure became its owner and publisher in 1894, remaining in the role until 1915.

The newspaper was originally known as The Fontanelle Observer (1863–1883), then Fontanelle Weekly Observer (1883–1885), Fontanelle Observer (1885–1893) and The Observer (1893–1904).[4] It has since reverted to its original name.

A fire destroyed the newspaper's office in early 1913. William H. McClure was forced to use the presses of the Greenfield Transcript and the Adair News.[5] The architect of today's incarnation, in 1918,[1] was Ray Williamson (d. 1976)[6] of Creston.[7] It is constructed of brick, hollow tile and cut stone with a floor space of 60 ft. by 24 ft.[8]

The newspaper celebrated its centenary on December 5, 1963.[4]

Editors and publishers

Below are the newspaper's editors and publishers between 1904 and 1920.[4]

  • William H. McClure (1859–1915),[9] April 14, 1904 to August 12, 1915
  • William H. McClure Sons, August 19, 1915 to March 20, 1919
  • Don D. McClure (1881–1953),[10] March 27, 1919 to December 30, 1920

Online

Content for The Fontanelle Observer appears on the website of the Creston News Advertiser, which is owned by Shaw Media.

References
  1. History of Adair County, Iowa, and its People (1915)
  2. Fontanelle Observer at Creston News Advertiser
  3. Iowa City Republican, Iowa City, Iowa, July 20, 1914
  4. "About The Fontanelle observer" - Library of Congress
  5. Fourth Estate: A Weekly Newspaper for Publishers, Advertisers, Advertising Agents and Allied Interest, February 22, 1913
  6. William Raymond Williamson at FindAGrave.com
  7. The Construction News, Volume 39, April 3, 1915
  8. The Construction News, Volume 35, March 22, 1913
  9. Evening Times-Republican, Marshalltown, Iowa, August 17, 1915
  10. Don D. McClure at FindAGrave.com
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