Even more historic newspapers from Independence, Oregon, are now on the Historic Oregon Newspapers website, thanks to a partnership with the Independence Public Library, and funding from the Polk County Cultural Coalition and Friends of the Independence Public Library.

The historic Independence, Oregon, newspapers the West Side and the West Side Enterprise, as well as additional issues of Independence Enterprise, have been added to Historic Oregon Newspapers. So much excellent historic newspaper content!

The West Side was established in the 1880s and ceased publication at the turn of the century. Published on a weekly basis, the West Side kept the citizens of Independence, Polk County, Oregon, abreast of local, national, and international news. Front-page headlines for its March 15, 1901, issue (the masthead for which can be seen above) include “Oregon State News” (“A new opera house is to be built at Eugene”; “The Baker City post office will have a stamp-cancelling machine”), “News of the Week” (“Carnegie denies that he is going to Europe with J.P. Morgan”), and “Almost a Clash” (“Friction Between the British and Russians at Tien Tsin”).

Published twice a week for much of its existence, the West Side Enterprise served the people of Independence, Polk County, Oregon, for just four years, from 1904 to 1908. The first issue of the West Side Enterprise was printed on January 14, 1904; its last, on October 8, 1908. Above is the masthead from the August 3, 1906, issue of the West Side Enterprise. Front-page headlines for this issue include “Gives Franchise” (“County Court Acts on Application of Falls City and Dallas Railroad”), “He Goes to Jail” (“George Hoaglin Makes Gun Play and Gets a Pummeling as a Result”), and “California is Booming” (“In the state, conditions indicate one of the most prosperous years in the history of California”). Like the West Side, the West Side Enterprise reported on news happening locally, nationally, and internationally.

The Independence Enterprise was published by the Enterprise Pub. Co., beginning in the 1890s.  It would continue to be published on a weekly basis through the 1900s. Using a quote by Thomas Jefferson as an early motto (“Eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty”), the Independence Enterprise was vigilant in keeping up on a variety of news events, from happenings in the arts and politics, to goings-on in commerce, education, and local society. Front-page news for the Independence Enterprise in its October 2, 1902, issue (seen below) was the success of Susie Fennel Pipes, a violinist who was born in Independence but who would go on to gain greater renown for her musical talents in Portland, Oregon. “Former Independence Girl Winning Name for Herself” says the headline just above a photo of Pipes holding her violin and bow. Front-page coverage of Pipes further informed readers of her upcoming concerts.

In its later years, the Independence Enterprise would merge with the West Side newspaper to become the Independence Enterprise and West Side. The newspaper’s name change can be seen on the front page of the October 2, 1902, issue below.

As with all newspapers on Historic Oregon Newspapers, these newly added issues of the West Side and the West Side Enterprise, as well as the additional issues of the Independence Enterprise, can be read, searched by keyword, downloaded, and saved as a PDF or JPEG for future perusal – at no cost to users! Enjoy this new content on Historic Oregon Newspapers!