It was established in 1897. International Paper & Power Co. purchased The Record in 1929 from R. Charlton Wright, who had been principal owner since 1918.
The State had declined a chance to buy the paper in 1928 and subsequently faced stiff competition from its local rival.
[2] In the 1987 official style guide and employee instruction manual, the paper was described as a "modest alternative/news editorial voice" to the newspaper of record, The State.
The focus was on "the people, public business and private commerce" of Richland and Lexington counties.
Both The State and The Record had strict rules against obscenities, which extended even to "mild expletives" such as damn or hell.