History
The Quad-City Times grew from several predecessors, including the Democratic Banner and Blue Ribbon News.
The Democratic Banner was founded in 1848, was sold in 1855 to a group of businessmen and rechristened the Iowa State Democrat. The Iowa State Democrat published its first edition on October 15 of that year, with E.T. Eagel its first publisher. The newspaper underwent many changes through its early history, and by 1899, its circulation was 1,300 daily and 2,500 weekly. The newspaper was eventually sold to Lee Enterprises in 1915. The newspaper eventually became known as the Davenport Democrat & Leader.
The Blue Ribbon News began publication in 1878; by 1886, it was known as the Davenport Daily Times. The newspaper, which struggled for many years, was sold in 1899 to A.W. Lee (founder of Lee Enterprises) for $120,000.
Both newspapers continued to grow in circulation, before combining operations in 1964. The formerly separate newspapers became known as the Times-Democrat. By 1974, with circulation expanding throughout eastern Iowa and western Illinois, the newspaper was given its current name.
In December 1989, the Quad-City Times moved into its current building at 500 E. Third St., Davenport. The facility, completed at a cost of $23.8 million, includes a five-story press room, mail room, warehouse and editorial offices. The facility also houses Trico, the newspaper's commercial printing business.
The Quad-City Times has been on the leading edge of technology, becoming the first all-electronic newspaper in 1973. Electronic pagination began in 1988, with all-digital photography taking root by 1994.
Current Quad-City Times columnists include Don Doxsie, Alma Gaul, Barb Ickes, Steve Martens, Kay Luna, John Willard and Bill Wundram. The current editor is Jan Touney. Julie Bechtel is the publisher of the Quad-City Times.
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