Times-Courier

What is today known as the Times-Courier began in 1875. Originally the Ellijay Courier, the first issue was published on Wednesday, Sept. 1, 1875. The subscription rate was $2 per year.

In 1916, Ellijay was a mule-wagon and ox-cart town with two bitterly warring political factions and two newspapers, the Ellijay Courier and the Ellijay Times. The two political factions, called the "Simon Pures" and the "Slick Tails," roughly Democrats and Republicans, had been using the newspapers to voice their opposing views.

With the Times-Courier's consolidation on Jan. 1, 1916, the new owner hoped to provide local news but avoid controversy by being non-partisan.

The Times-Courier was owned and operated by the Bunch family from 1967 to 2015, when it was sold to Community Newspapers Inc., which is proud to oversee the official news source of beautiful Gilmer County and the north Georgia mountains.

CNI believes strong newspapers build strong communities. “Newspapers get things done!” Our primary goal is to publish distinguished and profitable community-oriented newspapers. This mission will be accomplished through the teamwork of professionals dedicated to truth, integrity, loyalty, quality and hard work.