The newspaper began as the Norristown Gazette, which published its first edition on June 15, 1799.
The newspaper's first publisher was David Sower, the son of Christopher Sower, a controversial figure who published ant-war sentiments and was branded a Tory (at the time, a derogatory term for Americans loyal to the British during the American Revolution).
During his tenure as editor and publisher, David Jr. enlarged the pages and added a significant amount of office equipment.
In 1881, the Norristown Daily Times was founded by Captain William Rennyson of Bridgeport, a Civil War veteran with no newspaper experience.
Peter Strassburger, his estate sold the newspaper to the Journal Register Co. That same year the paper converted to a morning edition.