Inland Valley Daily Bulletin: A History of Pomona and Ontario Journalism
The evolution of local news in the Inland Valley is a complex tapestry of mergers, acquisitions, and resilience. From the late 19th century to the modern era, the journey toward the creation of the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin reflects the growth of the Pomona and Ontario communities, characterized by a competitive landscape of independent publishers and strategic consolidations.
The Early Press of Pomona
The journalistic roots of Pomona began on October 7, 1882, with the founding of The Pomona Times by W. D. Morton and H. N. Short. Within 18 months, the publication merged with The Pomona Courier (founded by John H. Lee in 1883) to become the Times-Courier. Ownership shifted frequently during the 1880s, passing from Morton and Lee to Charles E. Summer.
Simultaneously, the Pomona Progress emerged on January 31, 1885, under Edward S. Stowell. The paper faced an early crisis when financial struggles and a devastating office fire nearly ended its run. However, Col. Frank P. Firey provided the necessary funds to rescue the publication. By December 31, 1885, the Progress expanded by absorbing The Telegram.
The turn of the century saw a series of ownership changes involving figures such as Sidney M. Haskell, Gen. John Wasson, and H.H. Kinney. By January 26, 1915, the Pomona Times was purchased by Edwin Ellis King, his brother W.M. King, their son Nelson J. King, and Roy L. Driscoll. The Kings renamed the paper The Pomona Bulletin and transitioned it from a weekly to a daily publication in 1916.
The landscape further consolidated on April 1, 1927, when the morning Bulletin and the evening Progress merged to form the Progress-Bulletin, achieving a combined circulation of 6,000.
[ไม่มีภาพประกอบ]The Rise of the Ontario Daily Report
In Ontario, the news scene began on December 16, 1885, with the launch of the Ontario Record, founded by brothers E.P. Clarke and A.F. Clarke. Though printed in Pomona initially, the paper eventually moved through several owners, including Robert C.P. Smith and A.A. Piddington.
In 1901, the Ontario Record merged with the Ontario Observer to form the Ontario Record-Observer. After a brief period under the ownership of banker George Chaffey, the paper reverted to the name Record. In 1910, owner Fred E. Unholz launched a daily edition called The Daily Republican, which was renamed The Daily Report on January 1, 1912.
A significant era began on August 1, 1930, when Frank B. Appleby and his wife, Jerene C., purchased the paper. Under Appleby's leadership, the publication became known as one of the most progressive and attractive newspapers in Southern California, reaching a circulation of 4,000 by the time of his death in 1936. Jerene Appleby Harnish took over as publisher and expanded the company's reach by launching KOCS AM and FM radio stations.
Consolidation and the Modern Era
The mid-20th century marked the beginning of large-scale consolidation. On March 30, 1965, Almon T. Richardson, owner of the Pomona Progress-Bulletin, purchased the Ontario Daily Report for $5 million. At the time, the Report had a daily circulation of 28,000.
In 1967, Donrey Media acquired the Progress-Bulletin Publishing company. This acquisition included the two daily papers and six weekly publications: the Upland News, Montclair Tribune, Cucamonga Times, La Verne Leader, San Dimas Press, and The Diamond Bar Walnut Valley Bulletin.
The final major transformation occurred in 1990, when Donrey Media merged the Progress Bulletin of Pomona and The Daily Report of Ontario to create the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin, boasting a combined circulation of 90,000. Control passed to Digital First Media in 1999, and in 2015, the publication moved its operations from Ontario to Rancho Cucamonga.
Key Facts
- Founding Dates: The Pomona Times began in 1882; the Ontario Record began in 1885.
- Major Merger: The Progress-Bulletin was formed in 1927 from the merger of the Bulletin and the Progress.
- The Daily Report: Renamed from The Daily Republican in 1912 and later expanded into radio via KOCS.
- Final Consolidation: The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin was formed in 1990 with a circulation of 90,000.
- Current Location: The paper moved to Rancho Cucamonga in 2015.
| Year | Resulting Publication | Merged Entities |
|---|---|---|
| 1884 | Times-Courier | Pomona Times + Pomona Courier |
| 1901 | Ontario Record-Observer | Ontario Record + Ontario Observer |
| 1927 | Progress-Bulletin | Pomona Bulletin + Pomona Progress |
| 1990 | Inland Valley Daily Bulletin | Progress Bulletin + Daily Report |
Frequently Asked Questions
When was the Inland Valley Daily Bulletin officially formed?
The Inland Valley Daily Bulletin was formed in 1990 through the merger of the Progress Bulletin of Pomona and The Daily Report of Ontario.
Who founded the original Pomona Times?
The Pomona Times was founded on October 7, 1882, by W. D. Morton and H. N. Short.
What was the sale price of the Ontario Daily Report in 1965?
The Ontario Daily Report was sold to Almon T. Richardson for $5 million.
Which company took control of the paper in 1999?
Digital First Media took control of the publication in 1999.
What other media ventures did the Daily Report launch?
Under the ownership of the Appleby family, the company launched the AM and FM radio station KOCS.