Ottumwa Courier

The Ottumwa Courier is Ottumwa’s oldest business. The Courier dates back to 1848, just two years after Iowa became a state.

The first version of the Courier was not a daily newspaper, but that changed in 1865. Since then the Courier has published a minimum of five days per week, a tradition that continues today.

In 1890, A.W. Lee purchased the Courier. It was the first paper in what would eventually become Lee Enterprises, one of the nation’s biggest newspaper companies. The Courier would remain with Lee for more than a century, until its sale to Liberty Group Publishing in 1999.

The Courier’s iconic building was constructed in 1921. It is built in the Egyptian Revival style, which was popularized following the discovery of King Tutankamun’s tomb.

The Courier became part of CNHI, LLC. in 2001.