Shaw Local
175 Years of Stories That Shape Northern Illinois
For 175 years, we’ve been more than a news source—we’ve been a neighbor, a witness, and a storyteller for the communities that make northern Illinois thrive. This milestone isn’t just about our history; it’s about yours. It’s about the families who built businesses from the ground up, the readers who kept local voices strong, and the towns whose triumphs and challenges have defined our region. Join us as we celebrate the past, honor the present, and look ahead to the future we’ll continue to share—together.
The Dixon Telegraph building at 113 S. Peoria Avenue.
The pressroom where 10,000 newspapers can be printed in about an hour. Throughout the run, pressmen are busy setting ink, adjusting paper tension and making certain that every newspaper coming out of the automatic folder is properly cut and ready for the customer’s porch or mailbox. The press-stereotyping division of the Telegraph includes Foreman LeRoy Dodd, Clarence Harshbarger, Lester Spencer, Leo Chandler, Dolevan Kerley Jr., Leslie J. Litts, Ronald Johnson and Charles Scriven. Circa 1959
The advertising staff consisted of Advertising Director Roy H. Morton, Paul Joynt, Kenneth P. Zimmerman and Vernon Johnson, all of the display division; Steve Murtaugh, classified advertising manager, and Nancy Rorer, advertising receptionist. Circa.1959
Dixon Evening Telegraph newspaper carriers.
The Dixon Evening Telegraph building on First Street. The enterprising staff turned out both a daily and weekly Telegraph in the 1880s and ‘90s when Editor B. F. Shaw (to right at rear) suddenly responded to increasing demands of the growing Dixon area in 1883 by publishing The Evening Telegraph in addition to the weekly Telegraph, which was later discontinued.
President of the United States, and former resident of Dixon, Ronald Reagan, reading the February 28, 1981 special edition of the hometown paper, which featured him, in the White House Oval Office.
Mabel S. Shaw with her three sons George (rear), Robert (front L), and Benjamin.
Mabel Shaw. Photo taken in December 1917.
Ronald Reagan with Tom Shaw and Ben Denny Shaw prior to his campaign for the Presidency.
The Dixon Publishing Company, circa 1959, is under the direction of Douglas Shaw, general manager (center). To the left are: Clyde Cooley, sterotyping foreman, and Albert Halstenberg, pressroom superintendent. To the right: Al Berner, engraving department superintendent, and Joe Burge, composing room superintendent.
The composing room ad division consisted of Assistant Foreman Floyd A. Douglas, Robert Schaefer and Gunars Kulikovskis. Circa.1959
The Telegraph building on First Street and Ottawa shortly after being built.
The Telegraph Printing Building with delivery boys and staff.
A staff of accountants and auditors occupied this office and processed all financial matters related to the Dixon Evening Telegraph, and also to those of six other newspapers which comprised the Shaw newspaper group. Circa.1959
When a newspaper type page leaves the makeup area, it passes on to the mat molding division. The entire page form is slid off onto the table as the picture shows. Circa.1959