City Newsboys

January 16th, 2013

Many local citizens are familiar with the Press Newsboys Band, and some may be aware of the Newsboys School, probably the only one of its kind in the world. But other, lesser known activities and events became available to those hardy lads.

Transcript

When George G. Booth of Detroit purchased the Evening Press in 1892, life for Grand Rapids newsboys was transformed.

Many local citizens are familiar with the Press Newsboys Band, and some may be aware of the Newsboys School, probably the only one of its kind in the world. But other, lesser known activities and events became available to those hardy lads.

The annual foot race started in front of the Evening Press office, located on Pearl St. near the river. The boys dashed off half a minute apart and were required to deliver papers to 20 different points around downtown. All contestants were presented with jack knives.

The Press also conducted a dancing school for its newsboys. So popular were the dances that it was necessary to limit attendance to Press boys only and their girl friends. The Newsboys “Happy Hour,” program on Sunday afternoons would attract as many as 1500 youngsters. They even had their own specially designed boat on the Grand River, named “The Newsboys Rest.”

When the new Press building was constructed in 1906, at the corner of E. Fulton and Sheldon, there were no public swimming pools in the city. The Press decided to install a pool in the basement, and provide swimming lessons for its boys.

The Evening Press circulation department directed all this activity. When those newsboys became ‘Old Newsboys,’ they never failed to remember.