The newspaper was first established with a test issue on 17 December 1874, with Johan C. T. Castberg as its first editor-in-chief.

Harald Kristoffersen, its editor-in-chief and owner from 1901, created the limited company AS Varden in 1918.

[3] Through the publishing company Varden AS, Varden itself had a 100% ownership of the smaller newspapers Kanalen (published in Nome) , Kragerø Blad Vestmar (Kragerø) and Telen (Notodden) until 2012.

[4] Varden itself has had local offices both in Kragerø and Notodden, as well as in Bamble, Porsgrunn, Kviteseid, Bø and Rjukan.

Today, the newspaper classifies itself as an "independent" newspaper which works to promote a liberal and democratic society with respect for individual rights, social fairness and free enterprise.