Austin Newspapers Collection

The Austin neighborhood is seven miles west of Chicago’s Loop. Community number 25 of Chicago's 77 official communities, it is on the western edge of the city bordering Cicero, Oak Park and Elmwood Park. Austin was annexed into Chicago in 1889.

Over the years, the Austin community has been served by several different newspapers. Reporters for these local papers closely followed community events and people. Stories about community controversies, political trends and prominent local citizens, as well as articles about local businesses, religious institutions, social organizations, and schools dominate the reporting in these neighborhood papers. The newspapers also provide information about contemporary business establishments, especially through their advertising.

Published by Pioneer Press, The Austinite has been Austin's most enduring newspaper. The Austinite offers a good historical overview of Austin’s commercial development with advertisements, club announcements and general news stories.

In the early 1970s, Austin was characterized by demographic changes that precipitated racial tension and in some instances, violence. The Austin News chronicles this episode in Austin’s history and is a good contemporary counterpart to the historical archival materials held in the Austin Community Collection.

By the mid-1980s, two other community newspapers were in publication: The Austin Voice and The Austin Weekly News. The Austin Voice began as a weekly in 1985. A division of Megamedia Enterprises, the Voice promised “a steady flow” of Austin news, features, advice, and life. The Austin Voice also served the Garfield Park and Lawndale communities and featured articles on area gangs, businesses, hospitals, schools, religious institutions, and politicians. The Austin Weekly News began operations in 1986 and was published by The Oak Park Wednesday Journal. The News masthead reads: “Working together to reflect the Austin Community” and section titles include Health, Military Notes, Austin Entrepreneurs, and Across Austin.

Finally, The Windy City Word, another newspaper distributed free of charge, serves the greater West Side of Chicago. “Reporting progressive news weekly,” the Word includes articles on fashion, the arts, schools, public utilities, and health.