Early Newspapers in Los Angeles

These are among the earliest known newspapers published in Los Angeles. The ephemeral nature of newspapers would suggest that there are probably many others that existed for a while and then disappeared.

For information on early ethnic newspapers in the city go to Early Ethnic Newspapers.

The newspapers are arranged in order of their first appearance, rather than alphabetically, so you can see which papers were being published at the same time.

Los Angeles Star (1851-1864;1868-1879)
This was originally a weekly, with the name La Estrella de Los Angeles and in the beginning (until 1855) was printed half in Spanish and half in English. When the Civil War broke out the outspoken criticism of the federal government by its editor led to the Star being banned from the mails, and the arrest of its editor for treason.It ceased publication in 1864, apparently due to financial problems, but resumed in 1868. In 1870 it became a daily, but ceased publication in 1879 because of lack of funds. No complete file is known to exist.
Southern Californian,(1854-1856)
Weekly paper that was the Star's only competition for about 1 year. Its first issue proclaimed that its major effort would be to bring about a division of the state, without any reference to the question of slavery.
El Clamor Publico, (1855-1859)
The third newspaper, published by a 17 year old boy, Francisco Ramirez. Weekly, written in Spanish, with occasional articles in English and in French. The paper became known for its campaign for better treatment of Spanish Americans, and urged their emigration to Sonora.When the paper ceased publication its editor went to Sonora to become the State Printer, and the printing supplies were used by the Los Angeles News.
Southern Vineyard,(1858-1860)
Founded to foster closer relations between Americans and Spanish Californians. Weekly and then semi-weekly.
Semi-Weekly Southern News, (1860-1873)
Started with the press of El Clamor Publico; weekly, then semi-weekly. Continued under various names until became the Los Angeles Daily News.
Wilmington Journal, 1864-1868
When the Los Angeles Star ceased publication in 1864 its press and equipment were sold to Phineas Banning, who almost immediately started printing the Wilmington Star; the paper soon changed its name to the Journal. Banning's politics, of course, were pro-Union, as opposed to the Star. And when the hostilities were over the paper announced that since Los Angeles already had a strong Union paper in the Republican, there was no longer any need for continuing publication.
Los Angeles Weekly Republican, (1867-1879)
Founded to espouse the principles of the Republican Party. but apparently received no support from it. No relationship to the Evening Republican listed below.
Los Angeles Porcupine, (1877-1899)
Weekly paper.
Los Angeles Daily News, (1869-1873)
First daily newspaper in Los Angeles; developed out of the Semi-Weekly Southern News. Its Union sympathies countered the secessionist leanings of the Star.
Los Angeles Evening Express, (1871-1962)
Owned by Joseph D. Lynch from 1876 to 1900, and was considered a companion to the Morning Herald, both Democratic.
Los Angeles Herald, (1873-1962)
Weekly and daily; founded by T.M. Storke; sold to Joseph D. Lynch in 1876. The weekly folded in 1918. The daily was bought by Hearst in 1922; in 1931 was merged with the Evening Express, and in 1962 merged with the Examiner.
Weekly Mirror,(1873-1891)
Published with the equipment of the defunct Los Angeles News; in 1891 combined with the Times to form the Saturday Times and Weekly Mirror.
Los Angeles Evening Republican, (1876-1878)
Also called Daily Republican, Morning Republican and Los Angeles Republican.
Los Angeles Times, (1881- )
Harrison Gray Otis took control in 1882, making it a major conservative force in the city
Los Angeles Tribune, (1886-1890)
Los Angeles Post-Record,(1895)
Continued in 1895 as the Los Angeles Record.
Los Angeles Record,(1895-1933)
Founded by Edward.W. Scripps
Los Angeles Examiner,(1903- )
Los Angeles Weekly Mirror, (1873-1891)
Merged with Saturday Times to form Saturday Times and Weekly Mirror, later called the Saturday Times and California Mirror.

Use the Union List of Newspapers in the Reference Center to determine which libraries in the state have holdings for the individual newspapers.

Sources of Information on Early Newspapers

Dawson, Muir. History and Bibliography of Southern California Newspapers, 1851-1876. Los Angeles: Dawson's Book Shop, 1950.
Doheny 016.0713 D272h

Hart, James D. A Companion to California. New York: Oxford U Pr, 1978.
Reference Center F859.H33

Trevino, Robert R. Becoming Mexican American: The Spanish-Language Press and the Biculturation of Californio Elites, 1852-1870. Stanford: Stanford Center for Chicano Research, 1989.
Doheny E184.M5W6

Union List of Serials, ed. by Edna T. Brown. New York: Wilson, 1965.
Reference Center Z6945.U45