|
overview
landmarks
|
overview
This
profile considers the Copley and Spreckels newspaper interests.
It covers -
introduction
The Copley dynasty offers a perspective on the Chandlers
of the Los Angeles Times, suggesting what might
have happened to that family and its newspapers if LA
hadn't grown, management had stayed inhouse and the papers
had remained resolutely conservative. It is comparable
to the Pulitzers and Scripps,
albeit without the flair of their founders.
Spreckels
The Spreckels family moved from the East Coast of the
US during the California gold rush. Patriarch John Spreckels
established the family fortune with grocery sales. Son
John D Spreckels (1853-1926) and Claus Spreckels founded
the Albany Brewery in San Francisco, were successful in
property speculation and became the dominant West Coast
sugar group - first in sugar refining (the California
Sugar Refining Co); later through plantations in Hawaii
and beet sugar operations. The family and the Havemeyers
became leaders of the 'Sugar Trust'.
The JD Spreckels & Bros Co, established in 1880, operated
a steamship line between San Francisco and Hawaii. The
Spreckels' Oceanic Steamship Co, founded in 1881 and sold
to Matson in 1926, was the dominant passenger line between
San Francisco and Australia from 1885 until after 1918.
The Spreckels owned newspapers in San Francisco, such
as the Morning Call (sold to Hearst
in 1913), and in San Diego, where they acquired the San
Diego Union in 1890. The family sold the Union
to Copley in 1928, following the death of JD Spreckels
(whose will encompassed investments and land valued at
over US$15 million). Adolph Spreckels (1857-1924) garnered
fame by shooting Michael de Young, editor of the San Francisco
Chronicle in 1884 over alleged defamation.
Copley
The Copley fortune was based on utilities in the Chicago
region. Founder Colonel Ira Copley moved West to holiday,
after acquiring minor papers in Illinois, and acquired
the San Diego Tribune, subsequently merged with
the Union.
His descendents control Copley Press, based in La Jolla
(California), which publishes nine daily, eight weekly
and one bi-weekly newspaper. Its flagship is the San
Diego Union-Tribune. The group also includes a minor
news service. Copley has been distinguished by what one
site boasted was "unabashed Republicanism";
critics point to a history of support for Joseph McCarthy,
Barry Goldwater and other figures somewhat to the right
of centre.
The family has interests in newsprint production and owns
the Casa del Zorro resort.
The corporate site is here.
holdings
Copley titles as of late 2004 are -
San
Diego Union-Tribune
Today's Local News
Torrance Daily Breeze
Lincoln Courier
Peoria Journal Star
Galesburg Register-Mail
Springfield State Journal-Register
Massillon Independent
Canton Repository
New Philadelphia Times Reporter
studies
There
have been no major studies of Copley. The Spreckels family
has attracted more attention, unsurprising given its involvement
in colonisation of Hawaii, prominence in San Francisco
and later artistic pursuits. the major work is Jacob Adler's
Claus Spreckels: The Sugar King in Hawaii (Honolulu:
Uni of Hawaii Press 1966).
 next
page (landmarks)
|
|
