Start the Press
The first newspaper in Clarksville, and in the state of Tennessee, was The Clarksville Chronicle. It began publication in 1808, though no editions now exist prior to 1811. Later, a second newspaper called The Tobacco Leaf appeared, sparked by the area’s growing reputation as a hub of tobacco growing and shipping. The early newspapers were basic four-page journals devoted to political news and advertising. As these papers grew and developed, they became more complete publications, featuring more news and community information. Political views also found their way into the journals’ pages. In 1890, The Clarksville Chronicle and The Tobacco Leaf merged, forming The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle as the newspaper’s coverage area grew. “The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle and its forerunners were continuously well aware of their responsibilities regarding community leadership,” Lewis Hyatt wrote in his 1958 doctoral dissertation commemorating the newspaper’s 150th anniversary. “They were ever ready to complain about the community needs and suggest improvements for Clarksville and Montgomery County,” he continued. “They were also ready to compliment and praise those things that had been accomplished in the community.” The city also had a black newspaper, The New Herald, from 1935 to 1938. Two other now-defunct newspapers, The Clarksville Jeffersonian and The Clarksville Star, were also published here. |
