Let’s check out the first newspaper publication in Delta called The Delta News.
The publication started in 1902.
Published every Saturday in Ladner, The Delta News advertised itself within the paper that year by stating "We are here to stay."
The publication also promised it "will bring good results. The many business firms we have been unable to call on would do well to make an application for space."
People could get a subscription for $1 per year.
The publication was followed by the Delta Times, which lasted until around 1914.
Delta then lacked its own paper for a few years until Vincent Dunning came west from Alberta, where he was operating two newspapers, to accept an invitation from the Delta Board of Trade to fill the void left after the demise of the Delta Times.
In 1922, Dunning set up shop in the former saloon of the Ladner Hotel at the corner of 48th Avenue and Delta Street.
He left the following year, turning over ownership to his wife, Gertrude Dunning. She became the first female publisher of a B.C. weekly newspaper. Her son Edgar would eventually operate the newspaper.
The Delta Optimist celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2022.
