List of African American newspapers in Iowa facts for kids
This article is about special newspapers in Iowa called African American newspapers. These newspapers were created by and for African American communities. They were very important because they shared news, stories, and opinions that were often ignored by other newspapers. They helped people stay connected and fight for their rights.
The very first African American newspaper in Iowa was the Colored Advance. It started in Corning, Iowa in 1882. The next year, the Rising Son began in Des Moines. But the newspaper that lasted the longest was the Iowa Bystander. It was published for over 100 years!
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, many African American newspapers started. However, Iowa had a smaller African American population (less than 20,000 people) compared to states like Illinois. Because of this, fewer of these newspapers were started in Iowa.
One interesting place for African American newspapers was Buxton. This was a coal-mining town that doesn't exist anymore. But in the early 1900s, about eight different African American newspapers were published there!
Contents
Newspapers Across Iowa
African American newspapers were published in several cities across Iowa. Each newspaper played a role in sharing information and building community.
Buxton's Busy Papers
Buxton was a small town with a big voice when it came to newspapers. Even though it's gone now, it was a hub for African American publishing. Some of the newspapers from Buxton include:
- Buxton Advocate (1911-1912)
- Buxton Bulletin (1914-1916)
- Iowa Colored Worker (1907-1910)
- The Buxton Eagle (1903-1905)
- Buxton Gazette (1903-1909) - This was known as Buxton's "most successful and respected weekly" newspaper.
- Buxton Leader (1912-1913)
- The Vindicator (started 1908)
Early Papers in Corning and Davenport
Corning, Iowa was home to Iowa's first African American newspaper.
- Colored Advance (started 1882) - This paper came out twice a month.
In Davenport, Iowa, several papers were published over the years:
- Cash Register (1980s) - This was likely a weekly shopping paper.
- Tri-City Advocate (started 1907)
- Tri-City Observer (started 1940)
Des Moines: A Center for News
Des Moines was a major city for African American newspapers. Many important papers were published here, covering local and state news.
Long-Lasting and Influential Papers
- The Iowa Bystander (1894-2015) - This was by far Iowa's longest-running African American newspaper. It was started by ten important Black men who moved to Iowa in the 1870s. Some old issues can even be found online!
- Rising Son (1883-1885) - This weekly paper was edited by Harry Graham. He also founded the Western Negro Press Association.
- The Communicator: Iowa’s Leading Multicultural Newspaper (started 1985 or 1986) - This paper was edited by Jonathan R. Narcisse. It was published every two weeks or every other month.
Other Notable Des Moines Papers
- Weekly Advocate (1891-1894)
- Iowa Afro-Citizen (1976-1977)
- Afro Des Moines Communicator (1978)
- The Weekly Avalanche (1891-1895) - This was the official newspaper for the Afro-American Protective Association of Iowa.
- Iowa Baptist Standard (1897-1899)
- Black Des Moines (1972)
- Black Revolutionary (started 1971)
- Inner City Challenger (1981-1984) - This was a monthly newspaper.
- Iowa Colored Woman (1907-1909 or 1910) - This paper was the journal for the Iowa State Federation of Colored Women's Clubs. It moved from Des Moines to Buxton in 1909.
- Monitor (started 1910)
- Iowa Observer (1936 or 1939-1949) - Charles Howard, Sr., started this paper because he disagreed with the Iowa Bystander. In the early 1940s, it had more readers than the Bystander. Sadly, no copies of this paper are known to exist today.
- Des Moines Register and Leader (1908-1915)
- Iowa Sepia News (1951-1952 or 1954)
- They Say (started 1936) - Charles Howard, Jr., started this paper when he was still in high school.
- Western Ledger (1908-1909) - This monthly paper was the official newspaper of the Colored Co-operative League.
Newspapers in Other Iowa Cities
African American newspapers also served communities in other parts of Iowa.
Keokuk's Religious and State Papers
Keokuk had several newspapers, some with a focus on religious news:
- Baptist Herald (ceased 1901)
- Baptist Missionary (started 1917)
- Iowa State Citizen (started 1897)
- Western Baptist Herald (1881-1885)
Oskaloosa's Unique Voices
In Oskaloosa, newspapers included:
- Iowa District News (1890-1891) - This was a monthly paper.
- Negro Solicitor (1893 or 1895-1899) - This was the only Black Democratic paper published in Iowa before the 1930s.
- Gazette (1896)
Ottumwa and Sioux City Papers
Ottumwa had the New Era (started 1901).
Sioux City also had several papers:
- Silent Messenger (1937-1938)
- Enterprise (1936-1938)
- Weekly Review (1928-1930)
- Afro-American Advance (1908-1912) - This was a weekly paper.
- Searchlight (1899-1902) - This was also a weekly paper.
Waterloo's Fight for Rights
Waterloo had important newspapers that helped fight against unfair treatment:
- The Defender / The Waterloo Defender (started 1963 or 1966) - This weekly paper played a central role in the fight against racial discrimination in Waterloo. Copies exist up to 1979.
- Observer (started 1941)
- Parker Tribune (1980s) - This paper was published in both Waterloo and Cedar Falls.
- The Waterloo Post (started 1952) - This was a weekly paper.
- Special Delivery (started 1987)
- Star (1950s) - This was a weekly paper.
See also
