Los Angeles Star
| Company type | Newspaper |
|---|---|
| Industry | Publishing, Media |
| Founded | May 17, 1851 in Los Angeles, California, United States |
| Founder | Theodore Foster (initiated printing facility), John Allen Lewis and John McElroy (managers at launch) |
| Defunct | 1879 |
| Headquarters | Los Angeles , United States |
| Products | Newspaper (English and Spanish bilingual editions) |
Los Angeles Star, also known as La Estrella de Los Ángeles, holds the distinction of being Southern California's inaugural newspaper, circulating in Los Angeles from 1851 until 1879. It provided articles in both English and Spanish languages.
Origins and early developments
The effort to launch a newspaper in Los Angeles commenced on October 16, 1850, when Theodore Foster requested a parcel of land from the city council to establish a printing facility. The council granted him a site at the intersection now recognized as Los Angeles Street, aiming to promote public education through this enterprise.
Foster erected a two-level wooden structure: the printing press occupied the ground floor, with living quarters situated above, identified by the sign "Imprenta." The debut edition of La Estrella de Los Angeles appeared on May 17, 1851. This issue consisted of four pages arranged in five columns, split evenly with two pages in English and two pages in Spanish. Annual subscriptions were priced at $10, and advertising charges began at $2 per square for initial placements. The publication was managed by John Allen Lewis and John McElroy, following Foster’s withdrawal before the paper’s launch. Foster tragically died by suicide in 1853.
In July 1851, printer William H. Rand joined as a partner, creating the firm Lewis, McElroy & Rand; however, by November, McElroy sold his share to Lewis and Rand. Lewis oversaw the English sections while Manuel Clemente Rojo handled the Spanish content during its early phase. The press was an antiquated Washington Hoe model, transported on a lengthy six- to seven-month voyage around the Cape of Good Hope. Circulation numbers never surpassed 250 copies. Early contracts with the city included printing one hundred bilingual police badges for $25, illustrating early municipal collaboration with the publication.
This fledgling newspaper’s business strategy combined bilingual journalism with municipal contracts, securing its position as Los Angeles’s pioneering bilingual outlet and an essential medium for civic information.
1853–1855
In July 1853, Rand sold his interest in the Star to Lewis, who then transferred ownership to James M. McMeans on August 1. Lewis described the difficulties faced by an early newspaper publisher in Southern California, emphasizing the region’s remoteness and infrequent mail service from San Francisco that delayed news arrival by several weeks. Half of the Star’s content was presented in Spanish, relying heavily on translations and contributions due to a scarcity of Spanish-language news sources.
Despite Lewis’s personal Whig leanings, the paper maintained an impartial editorial policy under his leadership. Following McMeans’s departure to return eastward, William A. Wallace took over management until selling it to M. D. Brundige early in 1854; Wallace stayed on as editor. The publication continued operating from Foster’s original premises.
Later that year, J. S. Waite & Co. purchased the Star, relocating its printing operations to Main Street within Temple’s residence and pledging high-quality typography in Spanish, French, and English. Waite lowered annual subscription fees to $6 if paid upfront or $9 if paid later—reflecting high-interest rates common at that time despite California’s gold rush prosperity.
By July 1855, subscription costs decreased further to $5 per year, with Waite accepting barter payments such as corn and butter. In November 1855, Waite assumed the role of Los Angeles postmaster but found it challenging to juggle responsibilities for the Star, postal duties, and barter transactions concurrently.
1856–64
On February 2, 1856, the entire operation of the Star was put up for sale at a price $1,000 less than its original cost, aiming to attract a young businessperson interested in growing and profiting from the publication. Two months later, William A. Wallace, who had served as editor in 1854 and was the inaugural principal of school-house No. 1, purchased the paper with great enthusiasm. Unfortunately, Wallace soon became unable to continue his work due to illness.
Following Wallace’s departure, Henry Hamilton took over the paper. Hamilton brought with him five years of experience as owner of the Calaveras Chronicle. As a Scotch-Irish editor known for his political commentary and strong partisan views, Hamilton openly supported the Confederate cause during the American Civil War. His vocal opposition to President Lincoln and government authorities resulted in his arrest; however, after pledging allegiance, he was released. The Star ultimately ceased operations on October 1, 1864, with its printing press and type being sold to Phineas Banning for use by the Wilmington Journal.
Last years: 1868–79
Publication of the Star recommenced on May 16, 1868, under Hamilton’s guidance. The paper shifted away from its former partisan approach to focus more on serving the local community of approximately 5,000 residents. On June 1, 1870, the Daily Star was introduced by Hamilton & Barter; Barter subsequently established the Anaheim Gazette, recognized as Orange County’s first newspaper, utilizing the original Star press until it was destroyed by fire in 1877.
After selling the Anaheim Gazette in 1872, Barter leased the Daily Star but managed it unsuccessfully for less than a year. Hamilton then reclaimed control before transferring ownership in July 1873 to Ben C. Truman, who rejuvenated the publication with compelling content. Truman remained publisher until July 1877, after which ownership transitioned through Paynter & Company and Brown & Company. The Reverend Campbell also briefly oversaw operations. Facing both financial difficulties and editorial decline, the newspaper ended early in 1879 following seizure due to unpaid debts; its assets were stored by creditor Mr. Hollenbeck but were eventually destroyed in a fire caused by his employees.
This concluding chapter underscores the difficulties faced in maintaining readership and financial viability amid frequent changes in ownership and shifting audience expectations within the competitive newspaper landscape of that time.