[2] This newspaper began as a campaign paper owned by A. D. Bowen, with William Wasson as the first editor.

[2] In his first editorial as publisher of the Journal, on July 23, 1902, Jackson declared: "The Journal in head and heart will stand for the people, be truly Democratic and free from political entanglements and machinations, believing in the principles that promise the greatest good to the greatest number – to ALL MEN, regardless of race, creed or previous condition of servitude....

[3] He was succeeded by his son, Philip L. Jackson, who, following his father's footsteps, ran the newspaper for 29 years, expanding into broadcasting.

The paper was involved in a number of early 20th century crusades for reform, including better control of Oregon timberlands, adoption of the initiative, referendum and recall laws, direct election of U.S. senators, pure milk, and dredging of the Columbia River navigation channel to allow development of Portland as a major world port.

In 1946 KOIN was sold to Field Enterprises, In 1947, the Journal became the first newspaper in the country to employ a helicopter on a regular basis to gather news photographs.

In this era, afternoon newspapers began their decline due to the rise of television, changing commuting patterns and other forces.

The newspapers published a joint strike edition, but while separate publication of the Journal resumed in 1960, its circulation never approached pre-strike levels.

In 1961 the trustees, believing that losses from the strike could bankrupt the paper and deprive the foundation of much of its principal, sold the Journal to The Oregonian's publisher, S. I. Newhouse, for $8 million.

Newhouse consolidated production and business operations of the two newspapers in The Oregonian's building while keeping their editorial staffs separate.

Other key creative forces in the paper's final decades included Editor Donald J.

The building stood empty and deteriorating until it was demolished in 1969; the site is now part of Tom McCall Waterfront Park.

The firm's legacy lives on in the airwaves, as well: besides KOIN-TV (now owned by Nexstar and still a CBS affiliate), KOIN today is KUFO; FM 101.1 is now KXL-FM; KALE is KKPZ; and KPOJ-FM is KUPL.