The Clearfield Progress newspaper - Pennsylvania: history and online archive

• The Clearfield Progress is a daily newspaper based in Clearfield, Pennsylvania.
• It was founded in 1913 and has a circulation of approximately 12,000 copies.
• The paper has a history of progressive politics and has faced controversy, including an incident in 1914 where it was accused of spreading false information about a political candidate. It was sold to the Community Media Group in 2015
• The Clearfield Progress large online archive includes over 130,000 searchable pages from 1920–1976.

Established in 1913, the Clearfield Progress is a daily newspaper serving the community of Clearfield, Pennsylvania.

With a circulation of approximately 12,000 copies (as of 2022) and publishing six days a week, the paper has a long history of informing and engaging with its readers.

In its early years, the Progress was known for its progressive politics and support for the "Bull Moosers," a reference to the progressive party in Pennsylvania at the time, known as the "Washington Party." The paper's focus on progressive issues and its 1913 change in ownership led to a significant increase in subscribers.

During this period, the Progress was known for its critical stance on political figures, including Senator Boies Penrose, who the paper opposed in his re-election bid in 1913. In 1914, the paper faced controversy when it was accused of spreading false information about then-gubernatorial candidate Martin Brumbaugh, alleging that he had been drunk while campaigning in Clearfield County. The paper's editor, John Bixler, apologized for reprinting the claim, which had been made by anti-liquor activist Henry Stough.

In the years that followed, the Progress continued to be a trusted source of news and information for the Clearfield community. In 1945, publisher G. Albert Stewart called on newspapers to support the World War II effort, even as the war was coming to a close. Braton Gardner eventually took over as publisher of the Progress.

In 2015, the newspaper was sold to the Community Media Group, ensuring its continued service to the Clearfield community for years to come.