According to the Encyclopedia of Cleveland History, among Cleveland publications it was "the only journal possibly ranked by literary and artistic excellence, although only a small portion was devoted to poetry and fiction.
"[1] As the magazine's name suggests, most of its contents were devoted to history.
[2] In 1888 the publication moved to New York City to be published by the Magazine of Western History Co.
In November 1891, at the start of volume 14, the focus on the West was dropped and the magazine was renamed The National Magazine.
The name of the publisher changed to The National History Company.