The History of The Seattle Times

1896
Alden J. Blethen acquires stake in the Seattle Daily
Times.

1897
The Klondike Gold Rush begins.

1915
Clarance Brettun Blethen (2nd generation) takes over the Seattle
Times and promotes professional journalism.

1921
William Randolph Hearst buys the The Seattle
Post-Intelligencer (P-I).

1929
Amid troubles, the Blethens sell a 49.5 percent stake to the
Ridder Group.

1950
The Times receives
its first Pulitzer Prize.

1962
The Seattle World’s Fair 

1967
John Alden Blethen (3rd generation) becomes publisher

1971
Acquisition of the Walla Walla Union-Bulletin.

1983
Joint Operating Agreement signed with the P-I. The Times handles most business functions and takes 68 percent of the profits.

1985
Frank Blethen (4th generation) becomes publisher and CEO.

1991
Acquisition of the Yakima Herald-Republic.

1998
Acquisition of Maine newspaper chain.

1999
JOA renegotiated. The Seattle Times becomes a morning paper.

2000
Workers at the Times
and P-I go on strike.

2003
The Times seeks to
end the JOA.

2007
The Times pays $25
million to P-I owner Hearst in
settlement of JOA case.

2009
The P-I shuts down
its print edition.

Back to "Blethen's Choice."

Image credits (top to bottom): Yukon: University of Washington Libraries, Special Collections Division, Eric A. Hegg Photograph Collection, Ph Coll 274; Hearst: Courtesy CSU Archives/Everett Collection; Pulitzer: Courtesy of Columbia University; Monorail: Museum of History & Industry Photograph Collection, 1994.40.1.