Behind The News in Salem

Abstract

Around the mid-1950s, the Salem Evening News ran a series titled "Behind the News in Salem," which highlighted around 100 of its employees. This feature offered readers a behind-the-scenes look at the staff responsible for producing the daily newspaper, showcasing the individuals who contributed to its operations and success. The Salem Evening News was founded by Robin Damon (1862-1920) in October 1880. Initially based in the Browne Block at 224 Essex Street, Salem, Massachusetts, the newspaper briefly relocated to the Arrington Block at 159-189 Washington Street before returning to its original site. As the business grew, a printing press capable of producing 25,000 papers per hour was installed at 10 ½ Lafayette Street. By 1897, the Salem Evening News reached an estimated 90,000 daily readers. In 1927, the newspaper moved to a newly built two-story facility at 155 Washington Street, later expanding into the adjacent Central House. The paper continued to thrive and introduced its iconic witch logo on April 2, 1969. After four generations in the Damon family, the Salem Evening News was sold to Ottaway Newspapers in 1994 and later merged with regional papers at the former Beverly Times office. In August 2002, it rebranded as The Salem News.