[5] In 1870, Eberhart moved the Independent to Grand Island and started publishing on July 2;[6] she married Mobley the following year.

The newspaper, described as "decidedly Republican", was published daily for a short time in late 1873, in connection with a political campaign of that year, but resumed weekly publication after the election.

[12] In 1900, the octogenarian Hedde's health was failing, prompting him to turn the newspaper over to a group of Grand Island businessmen,[8] who formed the Independent Publishing Company.

[17] On Jan 29, 2020, Berkshire sold all of its newspapers, including The Grand Island Independent, to Lee Enterprises.

[21] Beside the daily newspaper, the Independent publishes a free-circulation weekly titled Trade West, with a circulation of about 20,000, focusing on "rural and agricultural readers".