The Southside Sentinel has been serving Middlesex County and the adjacent region since April 9, 1896; SSentinel.com since 1997.
Published in 1996 during the
Sentinel’s centennial celebration:
The streets were mostly dirt, but a group of daring entrepreneurs believed the south side of the Rappahannock River was ready for its own newspaper, and the Middlesex-Mathews Herald was born. Four years later, the name was changed to The Southside Sentinel and one of the most original slogans in all newspaperdom, “Pluck Perseverance and Progress,” was added. The Sentinel has indeed persevered. This year we celebrate the 100th anniversary of that first Herald to come off the press. (1996)
Over the past 100 years the Southside Sentinel has progressed side by side with the citizens “residing south of the Rappahannock River.”
Although the Sentinel’s format, advertisements and news coverage have changed with the times, one thing has always remained the same—the newspaper’s goal to inform its readers.
The Sentinel has had a major impact on individuals, civic groups, churches, businesses, schools and government agencies as far back as the turn of the century, and as recently as last week’s issue.
Since 1896 the Sentinel has been the source Middlesex County residents and organizations have relied on to “receive” and “get out” the news affecting their community.
Written by Fred Gaskins, Publisher of Rappahannock Press, Inc. –
“In the future… will there still be a paper to curl up with in your favorite easy chair? Past futurists predicted the end of newspapers when radios invaded every household, and again when television saturated the airways. Particularly in rural areas like ours, we predict the traditional newspaper will be around many more years, along with electronic versions you can read on your “wrist receiver.”
That’s one prediction. In reality, your guess is as good as ours, but the Sentinel will continue to deliver the local news as conveniently as possible.
Of course, we’re assuming everyone will still know how to read in 2096.”