The Jersey Journal

History

Founded by Civil War veterans William Dunning and Z. K. Pangborn, the Jersey Journal was originally known as the Evening Journal and was first published on May 2, 1867. The newspaper's first offices were located at 13 Exchange Place in Jersey City with a reported initial capitalization of $119.

The newspaper built a new office building on 37 Montgomery Street in 1874.

Editor Joseph A. Dear changed the Evening Journal to its current name in 1909.

The paper relocated again, in 1911, to a building at the northeast corner of Bergen and Sip Avenues. This building was demolished in 1923 to make room for Journal Square, which took its name from the newspaper. The Journal made its home at 30 Journal Square for the next 90 years. Its weekly Spanish-language publication, El Nuevo Hudson, ceased publication after the February 26, 2009, edition.

In December 2012, it was announced that the newspaper would sell the building and relocate to another location in Hudson County. In August 2013, the paper announced it would move to Secaucus, which it did in January 2014. It maintains offices at 30 Montgomery Street in Jersey City.

On October 30, 2024, the Jersey Journal announced that it would cease publication on February 1, 2025, citing rising printing costs following the recent closure of its production facility in Montville, New Jersey. In a local article announcing its closure, Jersey Journal editor and publisher David Blomquist stated '[a]n online-only publication simply would not have enough scale to support the strong, politically independent journalism that has distinguished The Journal'. The newspaper's 17 employees — eight full-time and nine part-time — would be fired when publication ends.

Newspapers in Education Program

The Jersey Journals Newspapers in Education Program, supported with an additional sponsorship, comprises three annual events and awards: the Hudson County Science Fair, the Hudson County Spelling Bee, and the Everyday Heroes Awards.

Timeline

• 1867-1909: The newspaper is published as The Evening Journal.
• 1871: Its building is on 142 Greene Street.
• 1874: Headquarters move to 37 Montgomery Street.
• 1891: The Journal demolishes the historic Buck's Hotel to expand the back of its building.
• 1909: The name is changed to The Jersey Journal.
• 1911: The headquarters are moved to Journal Square.
• 1951: The paper merges with The Jersey Observer.
• 2014: The paper's offices move from Jersey City to Secaucus.
• 2024: The paper announces its closure effective 1 February 2025.
• 2025: The paper released its final issue on 1 February 2025.

References

References

1. "The Jersey Journal". [[Advance Publications]].
2. (September 9, 2015). "The Jersey Journal names David Blomquist new publisher".
3. (January 4, 2014). "After almost 90 years in Square home, The Jersey Journal to start new era in Secaucus". Jersey Journal.
4. Karnoutsos, Carmela. "Jersey Journal". [[New Jersey City University]].
5. [http://www.nj.com/hudson/index.ssf/2009/02/jersey_journal_parent_company.html ''Jersey Journal'': "''Jersey Journal'' parent company warns employees of possible closure; publisher optimistic paper can be saved"]. NJ.com. February 2, 2009.
6. Mcdonald, Terrence. (December 5, 2012). "The Jersey Journal finalizing sale of its Journal Square offices in Jersey City". The Jersey Journal.
7. Sibayan, Reena Rose. (August 15, 2013). "Jersey Journal to move headquarters to Secaucus in the fall". The Jersey Journal.
8. "Contact the Jersey Journal".
9. Baldwin, Carly. (2024-10-30). "The Jersey Journal Newspaper Will Close Entirely Feb. 1".
10. (2024-10-30). "After 157 years of keeping Hudson County informed, The Jersey Journal to close in 2025".
11. [http://www.jjournal.com/community/newspapers-in-education-contact/ "Newspapers in Education: Contact"]. Evening Journal Association.
12. "About The Jersey journal. [volume] (Jersey City, N.J.) 1909-1951". [[Library of Congress]].
13. Journal, Rebecca Panico {{!}} The Jersey. (June 23, 2015). "Vintage photos: Jersey City's Journal Square through the years".
14. MacLean, Alexander. (1895). "History of Jersey City, N.J. : a record of its early settlement and corporate progress, sketches of the towns and cities that were absorbed in the growth of the present municipality, its business, finance, manufactures and form of government, with some notice of the men who built the city". [Jersey City] : Press of the Jersey City Printing Company.