Wisconsin State Journal Executive Editor Jason Adrians, who first joined the Madison-based news organization in 2004 as a copy editor and became its top news leader in 2020, was appointed Monday as Lee Enterprises’ new vice president-local news.
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A long, shared history: The Wisconsin State Journal's 175th anniversary series
State Journal reporters no longer shine editors' shoes. They do on occasion volunteer to pet-sit an editor's chickens.
“The columns of the Express will be open to the discussion of all fair and proper subjects which will have the tendency of promoting the public good. We shall expose tyranny wherever it may exist, fearless of consequences, and shall also endeavor to expose any infringement which may be made, by men in power, upon the rights of the people.’’
By the time the Civil War broke out in 1861, the Wisconsin State Journal had been publishing for more than 20 years. But nothing could prepare Wisconsin and its nascent capital city for the horrors to follow. The country’s struggle with slavery, and the resulting war, would be the dominant issue of the time.
The years just before and after the Civil War were difficult times for Madison. It failed to grow during the panic of 1857, when real estate values plummeted, causing many to go bankrupt. And the city struggled through 11 of the 15 years following the war, when the country bounced between depression and recession.
The end of the 19th century and the start of the 20th saw times of transition for the Wisconsin State Journal and the University of Wisconsin.
“I pledge to my city a more complete understanding of her problems, a more liberal conception of her limitations, … a more generous contribution to her needs, and a more active participation … in order that my city may become a greater credit to herself.”
With World War I over, Madison and much of the rest of the nation turned its attention to a new battle: the fight over the proliferation of saloons.
Madison and its interest in aviation were booming as the "Roaring Twenties" came to a close, with the Depression and world war looming.
For those who lived through the fight over Monona Terrace in the early 1990s, Madison in the 1950s would have felt eerily familiar.
The dawn of the 1960s brought with it the promise of change. But war on the other side of the world would soon eclipse all that.
"Zoos are a characteristic feature of parks in all large cities," the Wisconsin State Journal declared in 1911. "The zoo idea should be welcomed."
After 70 years of use, the structure was showing its age. An 11-year, $141 million renovation restored the majestic building to its earlier grandeur.
Fittingly, the last installment in our 175th anniversary series proves what goes around comes around.
Photos: Wisconsin State Journal throughout history
1852: First edition of the Wisconsin Daily Journal
The first edition of the Wisconsin State Journal, then called the Wisconsin Daily Journal, on Sept. 30, 1852. After a few days as the "Daily Journal," it switched to its current title, Wisconsin State Journal.
1859: Pinckney St.
Pinckney Street, in about 1859, looking west from the corner of Main and Pinckney streets. The large building on the corner of Pinckney and East Washington Avenue is Bruen's Block, constructed in 1853 and home of the Wisconsin State Journal. The white building across East Washington Ave. is the American House Hotel, the site where the Wisconsin Legislature first met in Madison.
1881: State Journal office on East Washington Ave. with David Atwood
Outside the Wisconsin State Journal office on East Washington Avenue, circa 1881. David Atwood, second from left with white beard, and a partner created the paper after buying the former Madison Express.
Atwood first editor
David Atwood, first editor of the paper.
1890s: Wisconsin State Journal offices
The State Journal offices back in the horse-and-buggy days of the 1890s were just off the Capitol Square in Madison along the first block of East Washington Avenue.
1895-1900: State Journal staff
Wisconsin State Journal staff outside the office on East Washington Avenue, circa 1895-1900. From left are Robert Slightam, printer; Walter Reimer, linotype operator; Herbert Schillinger, “printer’s devil;” Alvin Shower, printer; Michael Wald, sterotyper; Gladys Fowler, proofreader; Frank Esser, makeup man; Mrs. Klusman-Wissler, proofreader; Charles Wald, foreman of the book department; Amos P. Wilder, editor and publisher; Grace Green, proofreader; Thomas S. Morris, business manager; Edward Wissler, business office; “Ned” Jordan, reporter; Red W. Arthur, proofreader; George S. Post, foreman of the press room; Carl Morris, business office; Theordore Wilson, linotype machine operator; and Ben Parsons, foreman of the job department.
1924: State Journal staff
Staff of the Wisconsin State Journal from January 1924.
Celebrating new home, 1926
A special edition March 21, 1926, celebrates the State Journal's new offices.
Celebrating new offices, 1926
Special edition celebrating the State Journal's new offices on March 21, 1926.
Facts about the press, 1926
Part of a special section that ran March 21, 1926, celebrating the State Journal's new offices.
'World famous authors and artists' work here
Special section March 21, 1926, showcases well-known staffers.
Photographer Art Vinje, 1926
State Journal photographer Arthur M. Vinje in 1926. He became the paper's first photographer in 1914 and retired in 1962.
Paper delivery, 1939
Men unload large rolls of paper at the Wisconsin State Journal offices, 115 S. Carroll St., on Jan. 19, 1939.
City staff, 1949
Elevated view of the "City Room" staff, Jan. 28, 1949. Photo taken by Art Vinje.
Editorial staff, 1947
Editorial staff of the Wisconsin State Journal gathered around a table. Left to right: Harold McClelland, state editor; (sitting) Lawrence Fitzpatrick, city editor; (standing) Joseph Caposella; (woman) Louise Marston, society editor; (standing) William Doudna, news editor; (sitting) Henry McCormick, sports Editor. Photo taken by Art Vinje on May 8, 1947.
AP photo machine, 1949
A staffer works with a newly acquired machine to send and receive Associated Press photos on Jan. 28, 1949. Photo taken by Art Vinje.
Madison Newspapers Inc., 1949
A new Madison Newspapers Inc. sign sits outside the State Journal building at 115 S. Carroll St., on Aug. 30, 1949. The State Journal and The Capital Times launched MNI, now called Capital Newspapers, that year to run their combined business, advertising and production departments. The papers, to this day, remain editorially independent.
Roundy Coughlin, 1949
Sports columnist Roundy Coughlin talks to his secretary, Edith Goodman, Jan. 28, 1949. Photo taken by Art Vinje.
Switchboard operators, 1952
Four staff members and a view of the switchboard wall that operates the presses at the offices of the State Journal at 115 S. Carroll St. Photo taken by Art Vinje on July 15, 1952.
Press crew, 1952
Printing press staff at the Wisconsin State Journal offices on Oct. 7, 1952. Photo taken by Art Vinje.
Newsroom, 1954
Staff members work in the newsroom on March 2, 1954. Photo taken by Art Vinje.
1960s: Newspaper carrier
A Wisconsin State Journal paperboy in the 1960s
Conference for correspondents, 1961
A scene from the annual Wisconsin State Journal correspondents' conference showing editorial staff members standing in front of a large group of local correspondents on Nov. 4, 1961. Left to right: Harold McClelland, state editor; Lawrence Fitzpatrick, managing editor; and Steven Hopkins, assistant state editor.
Newsroom on election night, 1964
The State Journal newsroom on election night Nov. 3, 1964.
1969: Newsroom staff with 20+ years experience
Wisconsin State Journal newsroom staff with at least 20 years of service in 1969. Left to right front: June Dieckmann, Lawrence Fitzpatrick, Louise Marston and Helen M. Rupp. Left to right back: Harold Mcclelland, John Newhouse, Robert Bjorklund, Joseph "Roundy" Coughlin, Monte Mccormick, Joseph "Cappy" Capossela, Glenn Miller, Joe Dommershausen and Fred Curran.
1974: State Journal staff
Wisconsin State Journal staff on the 25th anniversary of "going a.m." Pictured: Bill Robbins, John Newhouse, Don Davies, June Dieckmann, Bill Wineke, Glenn Miller, Bob Bjorklund, Murph Wolman, Richard Jaeger, Ward Remington, Tom Butler, L. Roger Turner, Don Lindstrom, Joe Dommershausen, Roger Cantwell, Steve Hopkins, Patricia Simms, George Hesselberg, Roger Gribble, Sharon Behnke and Cliff Behnke.
1974: New offices being built
New offices for Madison Newspapers Inc., including the State Journal and Capital Times, being built Aug. 3, 1974 at 1901 Fish Hatchery Road.
1975: South Carroll Street newsroom
Wisconsin State Journal newsroom at South Carroll Street. Fred Sacksteder - far left; Peter Fox - near right; Ward Remington - second from left; Cliff Behnke - near center; Richard Jaeger - in back right, dark hair and shirt, mustache.
State Journal newsroom being built 1975, generic file photo
The State Journal newsroom is being built at the new Madison Newspapers Inc. offices at 1901 Fish Hatchery Road on Nov. 2, 1975. The State Journal and The Capital Times moved to the new location in south Madison.
1980: State Journal staff photo
Staff of the Wisconsin State Journal, about 1980.
1981: State Journal copy desk
Copy desk in the Wisconsin State Journal newsroom in 1981. Lower front to left around the table: Stan Schmitt, Pete Hilan, John Aehl, Mark Tatge, Fred Reibe. Sports copy desk in background. Steve Hopkins reading the bulletin board.
1989: Newsroom staff
Staff of the Wisconsin State Journal newsroom in December 1989.
1994: Staff Christmas photo
About half the staff of the Wisconsin State Journal gathered for a staff Christmas photo on Dec. 23, 1994. Close observers will notice new computers along with new faces in this year's newsroom.
1998: Staff photo
State Journal staff in the newsroom at 1901 Fish Hatchery Road in December 1998.
2011: Staff photo
Wisconsin State Journal gather for a photo outside the office at 1901 Fish Hatchery Road.
