Oakland Tribune

The Oakland Tribune was a daily newspaper that shared stories and news with people living in Oakland, California from 1874 until 2016. For many years, it was a important source of information for the community, helping people stay informed about what was happening in their city and the world.

In 2016, the Oakland Tribune was combined with other local papers by its owner, the Bay Area News Group, to form the East Bay Times. Even after this change, the name of the Oakland Tribune continued to be used. Each Friday, a special section called the old Oakland Tribune nameplate appears as part of the new newspaper, keeping its history alive for readers.

History

On February 21, 1874, the Oakland Daily Tribune was started by editor George Staniford and printer Benet "Ben" A. Dewes. At first, it competed with the Oakland News and Oakland Transcript. The paper’s first editorial explained that there was room for a new journal like the Tribune in Oakland.

In July 1876, Dewes sold the Oakland Daily Evening Tribune to William E. Dargie, a former student of California State University. Dargie brought in wire service dispatches from the Associated Press and added new features like a book and job department. By 1906, the Tribune began a Sunday edition.

The Tribune printed extra editions when the newspapers of San Francisco were destroyed in the earthquake and fire of April 18, 1906. After that, San Francisco’s mayor declared the Oakland Tribune to be the official San Francisco newspaper.

In 1911, Joseph R. Knowland bought the Oakland Tribune after serving in the United States House of Representatives. He moved the paper to a new location and helped it become a leading voice in California politics. Knowland’s family ran the paper for many years.

In 1977, the Knowland family sold the Oakland Tribune to Combined Communications Corporation, which later merged with Gannett. In 1983, the paper was sold again to Robert C. Maynard and his wife Nancy Hicks Maynard.

Finally, in 2016, the Oakland Tribune published its last daily edition. It was combined with other East Bay newspapers to form the new East Bay Times. The old Tribune name continues as a weekly community supplement every Friday.

Pulitzer Prizes

The Oakland Tribune received a Pulitzer Prize for a photo showing a small plane almost hitting a B-29 Superfortress in 1950. It also won another prize for photos taken after the Loma Prieta earthquake on October 17, 1989.