Rock Springs Rocket-Miner

In February 1881, the Sweetwater Gazette was first published in Green River, Wyoming.^[2] The newspaper was founded by Robert Smith,^[3] a former Scotland soccer international player. In 1887, he relocated the newspaper to Rock Springs, renaming it the Rock Springs Miner.^[4][5] In 1902, Smith sold the paper.^[6] A few years later, Frank B. Crumley took over the Miner.^[7]

In 1907, C. Lou Wanamaker founded the Rock Springs Rocket.^[8] He died in 1908.^[9] His widow Mrs. Cora B. Wanamaker published the Rocket until her death in 1920.^[10] It was soon acquired by attorney Douglas A. Preston who in 1922 sold the Rocket to Lester G. Baker, owner of the Kemmerer Republican,^[11][12] which later was renamed to the Kemmerer Gazette. Baker went on to serve as Kemmerer mayor. In 1928, he sold the Rocket to Robert Wilson.^[13] It was then acquired by Fred W. Speers in September 1931,^[14] followed by Tracy S. McCraken in December 1931. McCraken owned the Wyoming Eagle.^[15]

In 1937, David G. Richardson was hired as Rocket publisher.^[16] In 1939, Mr. Crumley died.^[17][18] His widow Gertrude Crumley then assumed full control of the Miner.^[19] It was soon acquired by Paul Sedinack, who in 1941 sold the Miner to McCraken. The two papers were then merged to form the Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner.^[20] In 1949, the paper dedicated a new printing plant.^[21] D.G. Richardson published the paper for 37 years until his death in 1974.^[22] He was succeeded as publisher by his son, Charles E. Richardson.^[23]

In October 2015, McCraken Newspaper Group was acquired by Adams Publishing Group. The sale included the Rocker-Miner, Wyoming Tribune Eagle, Laramie Boomerang and Rawlins Daily Times.^[24][25] In June 2019 the paper cut back its print schedule to two days a week and switched from carrier to postal delivery.^[26]