Florida Journalism History Timeline (HTML and Macromedia Flash versions. Download a Flash player*.)

Florida Newspaper Chronology: Introduction (access this material with a PDF reader* (469 KB))

Our chronology looks at the history of Florida newspapers, beginning in 1783 during the last days of British rule and continuing into the 21st century.

Each generation of Florida journalists has reported the news that becomes tomorrow’s history, and in the process they have created one of the most innovative newspaper states in the country.

Old yellowed newspapers and rolls of microfilm not only preserve stories about the history of Florida and the world, but they also give us insight into the people who have managed and worked for the state’s newspapers.

This chronology only scratches the surface of a very long and complex story, but hopefully it will serve as a useful reference tool for researchers and journalism historians. It is a work in progress that will hopefully be added to in the future.

We also hope this chronology serves as a reminder of the important role our state’s newspapers have played in preserving the news that becomes the first rough draft of Florida history.

-David Shedden, Library Director
Eugene Patterson Library
Poynter Institute
St. Petersburg, Florida

Although he has not updated his chronology recently, Mr. Shedden occasionally adds materials to his online bibliography located on the Poynter Institute web site.