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ENLARGE
Workmen erect the sign on the Tribune's current office along Harrison Avenue in 1972.
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Tahoe Valley architect Hans L. Aynedter's drawing for the original Tribune Building appears on the front page of the Oct. 30, 1958, issue of the Tribune.
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The original two-story Tribune Building, with a new sloped roof, still is in use as an office building today.
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The Tribune's second office and printing plant, located in the Globin Shopping Center along Tallac Avenue, is seen after its opening in 1964.
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The former Tribune office along Tallac Avenue is occupied today by Napa Auto Parts.
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The Tribune's current office, at 3079 Harrison Ave., opened in 1972.
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When the Tahoe-Sierra Tribune published its first issue on June 26, 1958, it was a weekly, eight-page, ad-supported "shopper" printed in Sparks.
That first issue reported on meetings of the Elks, American Legion, Soroptimists and Tahoe Parent Nursery School members. It also printed Father Grace's summer Mass schedule for St. Theresa Catholic Church.
The early issues were edited and published by Frank E. Chase, with Mary Chase as business manager. In August 1958, the Tribune started its first home-delivery service: More than 500 papers were delivered every Thursday morning (along with dairy products) to customers of the Lakeside Milk Delivery company.
The early issues were edited and published by Frank E. Chase, with Mary Chase as business manager. In August 1958, the Tribune started its first home-delivery service: More than 500 papers were delivered every Thursday morning (along with dairy products) to customers of the Lakeside Milk Delivery company.
By the end of that year, veteran newspaperman Basil D. (Ben) Benedict was hired as editor, and ground was broken in Al Tahoe for construction of a two-story office and printing plant for the paper, financed by new Tribune owner William T. Heseman. The building would house a new duplex flatbed press, a photo studio and other businesses.
That original Tribune Building, at 3053 Harrison Ave., was designed by South Shore architect and skiing pioneer Hans Ludwig "Lutz" Aynedter (who also helped design Heavenly's Gunbarrel run). The Tribune Building held a grand opening on March 13, 1959, and that structure still stands today as an office building along Harrison Avenue.
In October 1959, Lyle L. Laughlin became the general business manager of the Tahoe-Sierra Tribune, and on Thanksgiving Day of that year, the Tribune switched from a weekly publication to a daily newspaper.
In October 1959, Lyle L. Laughlin became the general business manager of the Tahoe-Sierra Tribune, and on Thanksgiving Day of that year, the Tribune switched from a weekly publication to a daily newspaper.
The new daily publication featured United Press International teletype service and telephoto machines, bringing news and images from around the world to readers in the Lake Tahoe Basin. It also featured popular daily comic strips, including "Li'l Abner" and "Abbie 'n' Slats," plus editorial cartoons and crossword puzzles.
In 1961, Tribune owner William T. Heseman named Neal VanSooy as the new editor and publisher. With the April 4 issue, the name of the paper was changed to the Tahoe Daily Tribune.
In 1962, George B. Thornhill purchased the paper and hired Chapman Wentworth as publisher and general manager. In 1963, Thornhill sold the paper to Tahoe Daily Tribune Inc., ending the days of individual ownership.
In 1962, George B. Thornhill purchased the paper and hired Chapman Wentworth as publisher and general manager. In 1963, Thornhill sold the paper to Tahoe Daily Tribune Inc., ending the days of individual ownership.
As the newspaper continued to grow, it moved in 1964 to a new office and printing plant along Tallac Avenue in the Globin Shopping Center. The plant offered a new offset press and a system of conveyer belts to transport news pages through the building between editors, printers and proofreaders. That building today is occupied by Napa Auto Parts.
On Jan. 1, 1968, Frank Newell was named publisher of the Tahoe Daily Tribune and Sierra Sun-Bonanza.
On Sept. 18, 1972, the growing Tribune moved to its current location at 3079 Harrison Ave., midway between its two previous offices.
On Sept. 18, 1972, the growing Tribune moved to its current location at 3079 Harrison Ave., midway between its two previous offices.
Through the years, the Tribune has grown with the South Shore community. Many Lake Tahoe milestones have played out on the pages of the Tribune: the opening of the Lake Tahoe Airport, the 1960 Olympic Games at Squaw Valley, the incorporation of South Lake Tahoe as a city in 1965, the formation of the Tahoe Regional Plan ning Agency, the growth of the major casinos in Stateline, the bombing of Harvey's casino in 1980, the death of Con gress man Sonny Bono in a skiing accident at Heavenly Mountain Resort in 1998, and last year's Angora fire.
As South Lake Tahoe struggles with its identity in the first part of the 21st century, the next 50 years should be just as intriguing, and the Tribune will continue to cover history as it happens.
As South Lake Tahoe struggles with its identity in the first part of the 21st century, the next 50 years should be just as intriguing, and the Tribune will continue to cover history as it happens.
