Williamson County Sun
Georgetown, Williamson County, Texas
Marker Inscription
First published on May 19, 1877, the "Williamson County Sun" was founded by Jessie E. Cooper (1855-1944). In its first century of operation, the "Sun" initiated numerous civic projects, such as the building of the first railroad in Georgetown, Wesleyan Retirement Home, and low cost housing. Editors of the paper included Frank T. Roche, John R. Allen, John M. Sharpe, and Robert W. Cooper, son of the founder. Donald and Clara Scarbrough became the second full owners of the enterprise in 1948. The oldest newspaper in Williamson County, the weekly "Sun" became a semi-weekly in 1974. (1978)
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Founded by Jessie E. Cooper in 1877, the Williamson County Sun became the county's oldest newspaper and, over its first century, a civic force in its own right—championing Georgetown's first railroad, a retirement home, and low-cost housing. A line of editors, including the founder's son, carried it forward until Donald and Clara Scarbrough took ownership in 1948. Long a weekly, the Sun grew to publish twice a week in 1974.
Why it matters
It illustrates the powerful role the local newspaper played in building and boosting American communities.
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Related people
- · Jessie E. Cooper
Themes & tags
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