HistoricSiteMarkers
Early RepublicReconstruction & Gilded Age

The Northern Standard

Clarksville, Red River County, Texas

Marker Inscription

On this site stood the home of The Northern Standard - A pioneer Texas newspaper edited and published from August 20, 1842 to October 25, 1887 by Colonel Charles DeMorse (1816-1887) - A loyal statesman and a finished scholar often referred to as "The Father of Texas Journalism" - After his death the paper was continued until December 6, 1888 by his daughter Isabella DeMorse Latimer - "Long shall our banner brave the breeze - the standard of the free" appeared on each issue

Erected by Texas Historical Commission

The Story

On this site stood the home of The Northern Standard, a pioneer newspaper edited and published from 1842 to 1887 by Colonel Charles DeMorse, often called 'The Father of Texas Journalism.' A statesman and scholar, DeMorse gave frontier Texas a voice from the days of the Republic through the Gilded Age. After his death, his daughter Isabella DeMorse Latimer carried the paper on into 1888.

Why it matters

Frontier newspapers like The Northern Standard were the connective tissue of a young Texas, shaping public opinion and preserving the record of a community across nearly half a century.

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Related people

  • ยท Charles DeMorse
  • ยท Isabella DeMorse Latimer

Themes & tags

Industry & InventionFrontier HistoryLandmark

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