We celebrate the 150th anniversary of the first publication of The Wichita City Eagle newspaper this month! The first issue exited the presses on April 12, 1872 and was distributed to its local customers.

Billed as a Republican opinionated newspaper, the Eagle promoted Wichita as the town to find success, whether that be in real estate, farming, cattle, business, or any endeavor. Founder, writer, and editor Marshall M. Murdock built his business into a proud Wichita institution. People were drawn to his flamboyant style of writing and promotion of Wichita as the “Peerless Princess of the Plains”.

The Eagle had two early locations. First, the newspaper found a home at 3rd and Main Street. And after construction was complete on a brand-new building, the paper moved to the southeast corner of Douglas and Main Street into a building known as the Eagle Block.

The Eagle evolved in many ways over the years. It started as a weekly paper before switching to daily. Marshall Murdock ran the paper until his death; management continued in his family with wife Victoria and upon her death their son Victor. The Eagle and its main competitor the Beacon eventually merged. The newspaper is mostly available online now.

Here at Old Cowtown Museum, we have a standing permanent exhibit commemorating the Eagle. Please stop by this building on your visit and learn about printing techniques, ink, the Washington press, and typesetting. You may even run into a printer working inside…

Happy birthday to The Wichita City Eagle newspaper!