Celebrating a Landmark: The Daily Gazette Marks 130 Years of Dedication

The Gazette was founded by Gerardus Smith, who ‍passed away two decades before the phrase ⁢”first rough draft of history” was coined by The Washington ⁤Post’s ⁤editorial desk to describe the role of ‌journalism. However, Smith must have ‌had a similar vision when he launched the first edition‌ of the‍ Daily Gazette on Oct. 1, 1894, from a press located ⁣at ‌117-119 South Centre St. in downtown Schenectady, just off Broadway.

During⁢ the ‌late 19th century, the ‍newspaper industry⁢ was thriving, with the number of publications across the country doubling from 1880-1900. Smith seized the opportunity to⁤ lead a group ​of investors who believed the city needed ⁣another daily newspaper to complement the ⁤Evening Star and the Daily Union. This led ‍to the birth⁣ of the Daily Gazette in 1894, following Smith’s group’s acquisition of the Schenectady Printing Co. and Marlette’s News. The‍ Evening Star ‌and the Daily Union⁢ later merged in 1911 ⁢to form the Schenectady Union-Star, which ceased operations in 1969. Meanwhile, The Gazette has continued to serve its readers for an impressive 130 years and ⁢counting.

Throughout its history, the Gazette has remained a family business, with Smith’s descendants – members of the ⁢Green and Hume families​ – at the helm.

In 1899, ⁤Smith‍ oversaw the company’s relocation to 332-334 State St. in the ⁤heart of downtown Schenectady. A few years later, in 1902, the newspaper changed its name from the⁤ Schenectady ⁣Gazette⁣ to the Daily Gazette. In ‍1990, the newspaper reverted to its original name, the Daily Gazette, ⁣and also launched a Sunday edition. The same year, it moved to a new facility at ⁤2345 Maxon Road on the city’s north side. These significant changes were led by Smith’s grandson, David C. Hume, and a great-grandson, John E.N. Hume. David managed the business side of the operation while his nephew oversaw ⁢the news department.

However, earlier this year, Betsie⁢ Hume Lind, chairwoman of the ‍Gazette board of ‍directors, announced that the​ newspaper would be sold to John DeAugustine, the paper’s current publisher and president,⁤ marking the first ‌time control of the business⁤ would pass outside the family.

“We didn’t want a company to come in, buy our paper,⁤ and strip‌ it of ​its local journalism,” Lind Hume⁤ told Gazette ‍readers earlier this year.

DeAugustine, who joined⁣ The Gazette in 2013 and was‍ later ​named‍ publisher,⁢ plans to keep the newspaper‍ a ⁢family ⁤business with the help of his two stepchildren, Andrea Fisher⁣ and⁤ Daniel Fisher, who are current Gazette employees.

DeAugustine⁣ played a​ key role in ‍the creation of the Daily Gazette ​Family of Newspapers, orchestrating the acquisition of The Recorder in Montgomery County in 2019 and the ‌Leader-Herald in Fulton County in 2022. More recently, the paper gained control of the Daily ‍Mail in ‍Greene County and the Register-Star in Columbia County.

“The Daily Gazette is ⁣committed to our mission of creating and distributing exceptional and impactful local journalism for future generations,” said DeAugustine. “This is just the ‍next step in that process so that we’ll be here for the next‌ 100 years.”

While this will undoubtedly be a challenge, The Gazette and its dedicated staff are prepared to take it on.

“The‍ Gazette’s legacy and commitment to local ⁢news coverage are alive and well in 2024,” said Miles Reed, the Daily Gazette’s editor and vice president. “We’re fortunate to have a talented team of journalists working in our communities every single day of the year.”

A Glimpse into the Gazette’s History

Here are some of the significant milestones in the Gazette’s journey: Oct. 1, 1894: The Daily Gazette, under​ the leadership of‌ Gerardus Smith, publishes its ‌first edition from its facility at 117-119 South Centre St. in downtown Schenectady.

1899: The Schenectady Gazette relocates to 332-334 State St., which would be its home for almost the next century.

1902: The Daily Gazette changes its name to the Schenectady Gazette.

1924: The Gazette, which had‍ been renting the property at 332-334 State‌ St. since 1894, purchases the building.

1984: The Gazette changes its format from eight columns to six to align with national standards for ⁢the measurement of ​advertisements.

1990: The Gazette moves from downtown Schenectady to its current location at 2345 Maxon Road Extension. The newspaper also launches​ a Sunday edition and reverts to its original name, The Daily Gazette.

2019: The Gazette acquires The Recorder in ⁢Montgomery ​County.

2022: The Gazette acquires the Leader-Herald in Fulton County.

2024: The Gazette gains control of‌ the Daily Mail in Greene County and the Register-Star⁢ in Columbia ⁤County.

— Bill Buell

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