Orlando Newspapers

The history of newspapers in Orlando features prominently in books written about the history of Orlando and Orange County by William Fremont Blackman and E. H. Gore.

Blackman’s book History of Orange County Florida  written in 1925, 22 years prior to Gore’s book From Florida Sand to The City Beautiful published in 1947, seems to contain conflicting information about the early history of Orlando newspapers. City directories support dates provided by Gore for some of the early publications. Comparing and contrasting the information provided in each, along with Orlando and Orange County Directories and Gazetteers, and microfilm of the publications, provide a good overview of the true history of newspapers in Orlando.

In her book, Orlando: a centennial history, Eve Bacon reports that the first newspaper devoted to African Americans was started in 1900 when G. C. Henderson began publication of the Florida Christian Recorder. The weekly newspaper contained news of interest to the African America population and continued for fifteen years until the death of the editor. The office was located at 502 Patrick Street.

Report Star – Orlando Sentinel

Above is the masthead from the Orlando newspaper, The Sunday Reporter Star, from January 18, 1931.

The following Sunday’s paper (below) published on January 25, 1931, reflects the merger of the Morning Sentinel and Reporter-Star, the new name being: Orlando Sunday Sentinel and Sunday Reporter Star.

The very next Sunday, February 1, 1931, the paper’s name changed again to The Sunday Sentinel-Reporter Star.

An article published in the January 25, 1931, edition of the paper states that the Orlando Morning Sentinel and the Evening Reporter Star were sold to W. D. Murray, Eugene Pulliam, and associates, under the name of Orlando Newspapers, Inc., charter being applied for. W. M. Glenn, owner of the Sentinel since 1925 and J. C. Brossier, majority stockholder of the Evening Reporter-Star for the past fifteen years will be identified with the merged publication, publishing separately through the week. W. M. Glenn remains as editorial director and J. C. Brossier as managing editor of the merged properties.

South Florida Sentinel

One of the early publications, The South Florida Sentinel, first appeared on the scene in Orlando in 1885 when British native, Latimer C. Vaughn set up shop to provide competition to the Reporter – the existing weekly newspaper.

The 1912 Orlando City Directory includes listings for the newspaper, the printing operation, and a classified advertisement. They establish Josiah Ferris as the sole proprietor and editor of the newspaper. “South-Florida Sentinel, Josiah Ferris, corner E Pine and S Main Streets, Phone 24” (p. 115). “South-Florida Sentinel, weekly on Thursdays, Josiah Ferris, editor and publisher, phone 24” (p. 113). The advertisement clearly states “Established 1885” affirming Gore and Bacon and indicating that Blackman’s assertion that the newspaper began publication in 1895 is a typo.

Central Florida Negro Edition

One of the more interesting publications was part of the Orlando Sentinel during the 1950’s and 1960’s. The “pink pages” as they were called by the public as they were printed on pink paper was actually an insert in the Monday paper called The Central Florida Negro Edition. This publication is rich with numerous photographs and stories.

A former Orlando Sentinel staff member queried about the “pink pages” indicated that there were other community sections printed on colored paper inserted in the paper during the week to identify the special editions.