 Indianapolis Times, November 1, 1924 | |
| Type | Daily newspaper |
|---|---|
| Owner | Scripps-Howard |
| Founder(s) | J. J. Sweeny & Fred L. Purdy |
| Founded | 1888; 137 years ago (1888) |
| Ceased publication | October 11, 1965 (1965-10-11) |
| City | Indianapolis,Indiana |
| Country | US |
| Circulation |
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| Free online archives | https://newspapers.library.in.gov/?a=cl&cl=CL1&sp=IPT&e=-------en-20--1--txt-txIN------- |
TheIndianapolis Times was an evening newspaper that served the city ofIndianapolis, Indiana, from 1888 to 1965 when the paper ceased publishing.
TheIndianapolis Times began as theSun in 1888, "the only one cent paper in Indiana" at the time.[1] J. J. Sweeney owned the majority of the company and Fred L. Purdy owned a minority share and filled the role of editor. From 1888 to 1899, theSun's circulation grew to almost 13,000. The daily paper was renamed theIndianapolis Sun in 1899.[2]
Indiana newspaper businessman Rudolph G. Leeds bought theIndianapolis Sun in 1910 before selling it to George H. Larke and William D. Boyce in 1913. Under the nameEvening Sun from 1913 to 1914, the circulation of the paper spiked to over 34,000. Boyce and the new co-owner, John W. Banbury, renamed the paper theIndiana Daily Times in 1914, and it reached a circulation of over 46,000 the following year.[1]
It was not until 1922 that the paper became theIndianapolis Times whenScripps-Howard bought it.[3]Roy W. Howard was the president of Scripps-Howard publishing from 1922 to 1964. He managed theTimes alongside theUnited Press International wire service.[1]
TheIndianapolis Times was recognized for "crusading" journalism and advocacy efforts. Story topics included voter fraud, state government financial scandals, falsely reported crime statistics, and improving public school lunches.
Under the leadership of editor Boyd Gurley, theIndianapolis Times received aPulitzer Prize in1928 forPublic Service after it successfully exposedKu Klux Klan involvement in state politics, including corruption between GovernorEd Jackson and Indiana Grand DragonD.C. Stephenson.[1][4]
During theGreat Depression, theTimes used its influence to raise money for charities that provided coats and other clothing items for children. In the1960-1961 recession theTimes ran free employment ads that helped 4,000Hoosiers find jobs.[1]
The competition from theIndianapolis News andIndianapolis Star proved to be too much for theIndianapolis Times. The newspaper ceased operations in October 1965, publishing its last issue on the 11th, with the daily circulation just below 90,000 and the Sunday circulation at 101,000.[1]
There is a historical marker located at the site of theTimes building in the 300 block of W. Maryland Street at Capitol Avenue in downtown Indianapolis. TheTimes building is long gone, but the marker honors the location and the paper's lasting positive civic impact.[5]
