Des Moines Register: A History of Iowa's Most Influential Newspaper
The Des Moines Register stands as a cornerstone of journalism in the American Midwest. From its humble beginnings in a log cabin to its status as a powerhouse of regional news, the publication has mirrored the growth and evolution of Iowa itself. Over nearly two centuries, it has transitioned through various owners and formats, maintaining its role as a primary source of information for millions of Iowans.
Early Period and Evolution
The roots of the Register trace back to July 1849, when Barlow Granger established the Iowa Star in an abandoned log cabin located at the junction of the Des Moines and Raccoon rivers. This early publication set the stage for a series of transformations. By 1854, it became the Iowa Statesman, and by 1857, it evolved into the Iowa State Journal, which operated three times per week.
In 1870, the paper was renamed the Iowa State Leader. As a Democratic newspaper, it spent 32 years in fierce competition with the pro-Republican Iowa Daily State Register. This rivalry ended in 1902 when George Roberts purchased both publications and merged them into a single morning newspaper.
The trajectory of the paper changed significantly in 1903 when Des Moines banker Gardner Cowles, Sr. acquired the merged entity. By 1915, the publication officially adopted the name The Des Moines Register. Under the stewardship of the Cowles family, the Register grew into the state's most influential newspaper, utilizing trains and later the improving highway system to distribute news to every corner of Iowa.
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Nationwide Development and Cultural Impact
As the Register expanded, it integrated new media and innovative journalistic practices. In 1906, it introduced its first front-page editorial cartoon by Jay Norwood Darling, a tradition that lasted until 2008. To ensure comprehensive coverage, the paper established a news bureau in Washington, D.C., in 1933, allowing it to report national and international events from a distinct Iowa perspective.
The publication's influence peaked in the 1960s, with daily circulation reaching nearly 250,000 and Sunday editions hitting 500,000—figures that exceeded the total population of Des Moines at the time. The Cowles family also diversified into broadcasting, founding radio station KRNT-AM in 1935 and KRNT-TV (later KCCI) in 1955.
Pioneering Polls and Traditions
The Register is credited with introducing the Iowa Poll in 1943, the first statewide opinion poll, modeled after the national Gallup poll. The paper also fostered unique local traditions, such as the sponsorship of RAGBRAI (the border-to-border bicycle ride across Iowa), which began in 1973 following a challenge between writer John Karras and columnist Donald Kaul.
Sports coverage also became a hallmark of the paper under editor Garner "Sec" Taylor in the 1920s. For decades, the Register was known for printing its sports sections on distinctive peach-colored paper, a tradition that finally ended for the Sunday "Big Peach" edition in 1999.
The Gannett Era and Modern Transitions
In 1985, facing declining revenues and circulation, the Cowles family sold the Register to Gannett. At the time of the sale, the Register was highly prestigious, having won nearly as many Pulitzer Prizes for national reporting as The New York Times.
Under Gannett's ownership, the paper's focus shifted. In 1990, it began closing most of its rural Iowa news bureaus and reducing carrier distribution to outlying counties, concentrating more heavily on Des Moines and its suburbs. While an "Iowa Edition" continued for a time, the paper eventually moved to a single statewide edition in 2019.
The physical footprint of the paper also changed. After 95 years at 715 Locust Street, the Register moved its offices to Capital Square at 400 Locust Street in 2013. The original building was sold in 2014 for $1.6 million for redevelopment into retail and residential space.
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Recent Challenges and Legal Battles
The modern era has brought significant operational and ethical challenges. In March 2022, the Register eliminated its printed Saturday edition, moving to a six-day printing schedule. The paper also faced scrutiny in 2019 regarding the publication of controversial tweets by Carson King and the subsequent firing of reporter Aaron Calvin following the discovery of racial slurs in Calvin's social media history.
In October 2022, the Columbia Journalism Review reported that the Register had provided commercial printing services to Local Government Information Services, a "pink slime" media client known for publishing misleading stories.
Most recently, on December 16, 2024, President-elect Donald Trump filed a lawsuit against the Register under the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act. The suit stems from the publication of an Ann Selzer presidential election poll that resulted in a 16-point error. The newspaper has remained resolute in its legal defense of the publication.
Key Facts
- Founded: Started as the Iowa Star in July 1849.
- Peak Circulation: Nearly 500,000 for Sunday editions in the 1960s.
- Major Ownership: Owned by the Cowles family until 1985, then acquired by Gannett.
- Innovations: Launched the first statewide opinion poll (Iowa Poll) in 1943.
- Cultural Legacy: Original sponsor of the RAGBRAI bicycle ride.
- Current Status: Operates on a six-day printing schedule (no Saturday print).
| Year | Event/Name Change | Significance |
|---|---|---|
| 1849 | Iowa Star | First newspaper in Des Moines |
| 1902 | Register and Leader Merger | Consolidation of morning news |
| 1915 | The Des Moines Register | Official adoption of current name |
| 1943 | Iowa Poll | First statewide opinion poll |
| 1985 | Gannett Acquisition | Shift from family to corporate ownership |
| 2013 | Move to 400 Locust St | Relocation from historic building |
| 2022 | Six-day schedule | Elimination of Saturday print edition |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the first newspaper in Des Moines?
Barlow Granger founded the Iowa Star in July 1849, operating out of an abandoned log cabin.
What is the "Big Peach" in the Register's history?
The "Big Peach" refers to the tradition of printing the Sunday sports section on peach-colored paper, a practice that ended in 1999.
How did the Register contribute to Iowa's culture?
Beyond news, the Register sponsored the RAGBRAI bicycle ride starting in 1973 and pioneered statewide polling with the Iowa Poll in 1943.
When did the Register move from its long-time headquarters?
The newspaper moved from its building at 715 Locust Street to 400 Locust Street on June 15, 2013.
Why did President-elect Donald Trump sue the Des Moines Register?
The lawsuit, filed in December 2024, cites a violation of the Iowa Consumer Fraud Act regarding a 16-point error in an Ann Selzer presidential election poll.