newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com
Sixteen years before confederation and three years after the district of Alberta was created, the budding settlement of Medicine Hat, N.W.T. saw the inaugural edition of its first newspaper.
Known then as the Medicine Hat Times and said to be produced in a boxcar, the first edition was released Oct. 29, 1885. The second edition, released a week later and printed above, is the earliest copy found by the News in preparation of celebrating our 140th anniversary.
While the first edition may be missing, the second edition, courtesy of the University of Calgary Digital Collection, is a true glimpse into the city’s past with numerous familiar names such as, Ewart to Hargrave and Sissons.
The News is looking back at notable events from Medicine Hat’s history leading up to today, the celebration of our 140th publishing year. And from a media standpoint, none may be bigger than the creation of the Hat’s newspaper.
Whether as the Times or the eventual daily News, the city’s local newspaper has been there through multiple pandemics, World Wars, booms, depression, moon landing, floods and more.
Over our 140 years, the News has changed names, expanded, contracted and moved buildings multiple times. But one constant has been dedicated, local reporting and a commitment to enshrining the city’s history while keeping Hatters informed.
As we move forward to 150 years, that same drive and commitment to the community that started in a box car and now finds itself in digital versions, will remain as strong as ever.
