The ''Eastern Arizona Courier'' is a weekly newspaper published in

Safford, Arizona Safford (Western Apache: Ichʼįʼ Nahiłtį́į́) is a city in Graham County, Arizona, United States. According to the 2020 Census, the population of the city is 10,129. The city is the county seat of Graham County. Safford is the principal ...

. Its roots go back to March 1895, when it was founded as the ''Graham Guardian'' by the Guardian Publishing Company, and edited by John J. Birdno. Its current circulation is approximately 8,200.

History

The ''Graham Guardian'' began publication on March 9, 1895, edited by John J. Birdno. Birdno left the paper in 1917, and John F. Weber took over the editorial reins. In 1922 W. M. Moore and Clyde W. Ijams became the editors, and the following year the paper merged with ''The Gila Valley Farmer'', which had been formed in 1916. The ''Farmer's'' history dated back to 1882, with the creation of the ''Graham County News'', before going through several name changes: ''The Clifton Clarion'' (1883-1889), ''The Valley Bulletin'' (1889-1890), ''Graham County Bulletin'' (1890-1897), and ''The Arizona Bulletin'' (1897-1916). After the merger, the paper was renamed the ''Graham County Guardian and Gila Valley Farmer'', with William B. Kelly as the editor. Kelly had come over from the ''

Bisbee Daily Review The ''Herald Review'' is a newspaper printed in Sierra Vista, Arizona, United States. Most of its circulation goes to Sierra Vista, Huachuca City, Arizona, Huachuca City, Hereford, Arizona, Hereford, Palominas, Arizona, Palominas, and Fort Huach ...

''. Kelly edited the paper until 1943, when it was purchased by the Gila Printing and Publishing Company, which changed the name to the ''Graham County Guardian''. In 1946 Earl Hunt became the paper's editor. The name remained stable until 1967, when it was merged with the ''Safford Eastern Arizona Courier'', which was under the ownership of

Wick Communications Wick Communications (formerly known as Wick Newspaper Group) is a family-owned media company with 27 newspapers and 18 specialty publications in 11 states. They also publish websites and other specialty publications. The home offices are in Sier ...

, and was renamed the ''Eastern Arizona Courier and Graham County Guardian''. In 1984 the paper changed its name to the ''Eastern Arizona Courier'', which it remains to this day.

References

{{Reflist Newspapers published in Arizona Publications established in 1895 Weekly newspapers published in the United States 1895 establishments in Arizona Territory