Westfield Local Newspapers

This collection includes the Western Argus (1857), Western Star (1826-1828), Westfield Advocate (1841), Westfield Critic (1898), Westfield Messenger (1845-1847), Westfield Republican (1856-1899), and the Westfield Transcript (1852).

Patterson Library in Westfield houses the archives of several early newspapers, including the Western Star, which began in 1826, just three years after the town itself was founded on the banks of Lake Erie, and the Westfield Republican, which is still publishing today. The area, which was first settled in 1802, is famous as the Grape Juice capital of the world, home of Welch's Grape Juice and the center of the largest and oldest concord grape growing region in the country. The pages of these early newspapers contain reports of Lincoln's visit to Westfield, during which he met Grace Bedell, the little girl who famously suggested that he grow a beard, along with other local, national, and international news from the last three quarters of the 19th century.

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Collection owner: Chautauqua-Cattaraugus Library System; Patterson Library