Sault Star: A History of Journalism in Sault Ste. Marie
The story of the Sault Star is a reflection of the broader evolution of the North American newspaper industry. From its humble beginnings as a family-run weekly in the early 20th century to its current state as a digital-first operation, the publication has served as a primary record of events in Sault Ste. Marie and the surrounding Algoma region for over a century.
The Curran Family Era (1901–1975)
The publication's roots date back to 1901 when brothers John Edward Gardiner (Jack) Curran and James W. Curran purchased the Sault Courier from Moses and Uriah McFadden. James Curran brought significant industry experience to the venture, having previously served as city editor for the Toronto Empire and news editor for the Montreal Herald.
On August 31, 1901, the brothers launched The Sault Weekly Star. Operating out of a small frame building on East Street, they used a hand-operated flat-bed printing press—a piece of equipment that had previously been used to print one of Winnipeg's first newspapers.
As the business grew, so did its ambitions. In 1905, James Curran modernized the equipment and moved the operation to 374 Queen Street East. This location was expanded three times to accommodate a growing readership. A major milestone occurred on March 16, 1912, with the launch of the Sault Daily Star. Sold for two cents with a circulation of under 2,000, the daily promised faster news than the rail-delivered Toronto papers by utilizing a special wire run operated by the CPR Telegraph Company.
The Curran family maintained ownership for three generations. By 1941, Robert L. Curran took over as publisher, supported by John A. Curran as managing editor and Nan Rajnovich as women's page editor. During this era, the paper also established its relationship with organized labor, signing its first collective agreement with Local 746 of the International Typographical Union in May 1941.
In 1951, the paper moved to a custom-built facility at 369 Queen Street East, designed by architects Mathers and Haldenby. The 1950s saw a surge in technological investment, including the creation of an in-house photo department in 1952 and the adoption of a typesetter system to process Canadian Press wire stories.
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Transition to Corporate Ownership: Southam Press
In April 1975, after 74 years of family ownership, Robert Curran sold the paper to Southam Press for an estimated $3.4 million. At the time, the sale ended the Star's status as the largest independently owned daily in Northern Ontario. While Southam provided access to international bureaus in cities like London, Paris, and Washington, it also signaled a shift toward corporate management.
Under the leadership of publisher Bill Dane, the paper was renamed simply The Sault Star. The Southam era brought significant capital investments, including a move in 1979 to a $1.4 million, 30,000-square-foot facility at 145 Old Garden River Road and a transition from letterpress to offset printing. However, this period also saw the closure of the paper's commercial printing business in 1980.
Labour Unrest and the Hollinger Era
The early 1990s were marked by industrial tension. In June 1992, a 12-week labour disruption occurred when 65 members of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) Local 746 went on strike over compensation and job security. The conflict was intensified by management's decision to bring in 11 replacement workers from other Southam papers.
Shortly after, in November 1992, financier Conrad Black's Hollinger Incorporated acquired a stake in Southam. Black implemented a rigorous "de-manning" program to reduce payroll costs. By May 1996, Hollinger gained controlling interest, pushing the paper toward a more conservative editorial direction and implementing further staff cuts through early retirement packages.
Consolidation: Osprey, Quebecor, and Postmedia
The 21st century brought a series of rapid ownership changes as the media landscape shifted:
- Osprey Media (2002): Purchased the Star and other Ontario papers from Hollinger for $220 million.
- Quebecor Media/Sun Media (2007): Acquired Osprey for $517 million. This era was characterized by significant job losses and the outsourcing of production. In 2009, pre-press production moved to Barrie, and by 2014, printing was moved to the North Bay Nugget facility, 440 km away.
- Postmedia (2015): Acquired Sun Media, becoming the current owner.
Under Postmedia, the physical footprint of the paper vanished. The headquarters at 145 Old Garden River Road was sold in 2017, and by November 2020, all staff transitioned to permanent remote work.
The Digital Transition and Current State
The decline of print is evident in the Star's publishing schedule. In 2018, the Monday print edition was cancelled. By June 2022, the print schedule was reduced to only Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday. In early 2023, all advertising sales staff were eliminated.
As of 2023, the Sault Star operates with a skeleton crew of five employees: four remote multimedia journalists reporting to editors in Sudbury, and one staff member handling reader sales and circulation.
Key Facts
- Founded: 1901 as The Sault Weekly Star.
- First Daily Edition: Launched March 16, 1912.
- Family Ownership: Owned by the Curran family for 74 years (1901–1975).
- Major Owners: Southam Press, Hollinger Inc., Osprey Media, Quebecor/Sun Media, and Postmedia.
- Production Shift: Printing moved to North Bay in 2014; staff became fully remote in 2020.
- Current Status: Print editions published three days a week (Tue, Thu, Sat).
| Era/Owner | Period | Key Change |
|---|---|---|
| Curran Family | 1901–1975 | Founded paper; transitioned from weekly to daily. |
| Southam Press | 1975–1992 | Modernized facility; moved to offset printing. |
| Hollinger Inc. | 1992–2002 | Implemented aggressive cost-cutting and "de-manning". |
| Osprey Media | 2002–2007 | Acquired as part of a community paper group. |
| Quebecor/Sun Media | 2007–2015 | Outsourced printing to North Bay; reduced local staff. |
| Postmedia | 2015–Present | Sold headquarters; transitioned to remote work and reduced print. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Who founded the Sault Star?
The paper was founded in 1901 by brothers John Edward Gardiner (Jack) Curran and James W. Curran, who began by purchasing the Sault Courier.
When did the paper become a daily publication?
The first edition of the Sault Daily Star was published on March 16, 1912, offering more current news than the Toronto papers delivered by rail.
Why did the Sault Star move its printing to North Bay?
In May 2014, Sun Media moved printing to the North Bay Nugget facilities to reduce labour and capital expenses amid declining advertising revenues.
Does the Sault Star still have a physical office in Sault Ste. Marie?
No. Postmedia sold the headquarters in 2017, and the remaining staff transitioned to permanent remote work in November 2020.
What is the current print schedule for the Sault Star?
As of June 2022, the print edition is published only on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.