Forget that the offices of the De Queen Bee aren’t as grand as they were, the aspirations more modest than in 1897.
The Arkansas newspaper – created when the railway reached town – has an anniversary to celebrate, and is doing it in style.
A 93-minute video tells the story – from early days and a disastrous fire, to the challenges of social media and the 2019 closure of the printing office – with archive pictures which will bring back memories for many.
Former editor Billy Ray McKelvy (1984-2002) tells of the aspirations of “computer tech fan” Ray Kimball – Bee publisher for 66 years – illustrating the story with pictures of the “expensive” Compugraphic kit which preceded Mac-based composition, computer-to-plate technology and full colour. Separate sections recall the evolution of advertising and photography.
The Kimball family sold the business to Alabama news publisher Lancaster Corporation in 2007.