San Francisco Examiner: A History of the Monarch of the Dailies
For over 160 years, the San Francisco Examiner has served as a cornerstone of journalism in Northern California. From its origins in the mid-19th century to its evolution into a modern digital and print hybrid, the publication has mirrored the turbulent and vibrant history of "The City"—the capitalized shorthand the paper traditionally uses to refer to San Francisco.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1863 (originally as the Democratic Press).
- Famous Owner: William Randolph Hearst, who dubbed it the "Monarch of the Dailies."
- Current Owner: Clint Reilly Communications (acquired in 2020).
- Format: Historically a broadsheet; transitioned to a free compact daily in 2003 before reintroducing broadsheet elements in 2021.
- Notable Contributors: Mark Twain, Ambrose Bierce, and Jack London.
Founding and the Hearst Era
The publication began in 1863 as the Democratic Press, a paper that supported the Confederacy and the Democratic Party while opposing Abraham Lincoln. Following Lincoln's assassination in 1865, a mob destroyed the paper's offices. On June 12, 1865, the publication was reborn as The Daily Examiner.
The trajectory of the paper changed forever in 1880 when entrepreneur George Hearst purchased it. In 1887, he passed ownership to his 23-year-old son, William Randolph Hearst. Under the younger Hearst's leadership, the paper shifted from an evening to a morning publication and embraced yellow journalism—a style of reporting characterized by sensationalism and splashy headlines to increase readership.
Hearst attracted legendary literary figures such as Mark Twain and Jack London to his staff. By 1889, he had established the iconic "Hearst Eagle" masthead and the slogan "Monarch of the Dailies," cementing the paper's status as the flagship of the Hearst chain.
Resilience and Competition in the 20th Century
The 1906 earthquake and fire devastated San Francisco, destroying the Examiner's offices on April 18. In a rare moment of cooperation, the Examiner joined rivals like the San Francisco Chronicle and the San Francisco Call to produce a joint edition. By 1909, the paper moved into the new Hearst Building at Third and Market streets, which later saw extensive remodeling by architect Julia Morgan in 1937.
Throughout the mid-20th century, the Examiner engaged in fierce circulation battles, primarily with the Chronicle. This era saw the rise of influential columnists like Herb Caen and poet Kenneth Rexroth. To survive economic pressures, the two rivals entered a joint operating agreement in 1965, where the Chronicle handled morning news and the Examiner handled the afternoon and Sunday editions.
The "Friday of the Purple Hand"
The paper was not without controversy. On October 31, 1969, members of the Gay Liberation Front and other groups protested outside the Examiner's offices in response to disparaging articles about gay bars. The event, known as "Bloody Friday of the Purple Hand," turned violent when employees dumped printers' ink on the crowd from the roof, and police responded with brutality against the demonstrators.
Modern Transitions and Ownership Changes
The turn of the millennium brought significant structural changes. To satisfy antitrust laws when Hearst purchased the Chronicle, the Examiner was sold to ExIn, LLC, owned by the Fang family, for a nominal fee of $100 (alongside a $66 million subsidy). In 2003, the paper transitioned to a free daily distribution model.
Ownership shifted again in 2004 when Philip Anschutz's Clarity Media Group acquired the paper, introducing a compact size designed for quick reading. After a period of ownership by the San Francisco Newspaper Company LLC and Black Press, the paper was acquired in December 2020 by Clint Reilly through Clint Reilly Communications.
Under editor-in-chief Carly Schwartz, the paper reintroduced the broadsheet style in 2021 and expanded into email newsletters. However, the accompanying SF Weekly was placed on hiatus during this period. Clint Reilly passed away in 2026 at the age of 79.
San Francisco Examiner Overview
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1863 (as Democratic Press) |
| Headquarters | 465 California St., San Francisco, CA |
| ISSN | 2574-593X (Print), 2993-8155 (Web) |
| Current Owner | Clint Reilly Communications |
| Current Editor-in-Chief | Schuyler Hudak Prionas |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the San Francisco Examiner called the "Monarch of the Dailies"?
This was a slogan created by William Randolph Hearst by 1889 to reflect the paper's dominance and its role as the flagship of his media empire.
What is "yellow journalism" in the context of the Examiner?
Yellow journalism refers to the sensationalist reporting style used by William Randolph Hearst, which utilized foreign correspondents and splashy coverage of scandals to attract a larger audience.
How did the 1906 earthquake affect the newspaper?
The Examiner's offices were destroyed on April 18, 1906. In response, the paper collaborated with its competitors to publish a joint edition before eventually moving into the Hearst Building in 1909.
Who currently owns the San Francisco Examiner?
The newspaper is owned by Clint Reilly Communications, which acquired the publication in December 2020.
What was the "Friday of the Purple Hand"?
It was a 1969 protest by gay rights activists against the Examiner's disparaging coverage of the LGBTQ+ community, which resulted in clashes between protesters, employees, and police.