The Arizona Times

The Black community newspaper, The Arizona Times, began in 1926. The masthead announced the weekly paper as, "An independent newspaper devoted to the interests of the Negro population of Arizona.” A printed notice, dated September 3, 1926, provided more detail, “The Times is the only newspaper in the entire West receiving the full, weekly report of four news agencies. Besides it has its own correspondents at Washington, Nogales, Fort Huachuca, Phoenix, Douglas, and Flagstaff. ‘Times’ readers are therefore always and increasingly assured of – Interest – Character – and Substance” 

Louis J. Washington was editor of the paper, with Chauncey Townsend serving as Business Manager. The newspaper was published in Tucson and delivered by carrier in Tucson, Nogales, Phoenix, Douglas, Fort Huachuca and other Arizona cities, and held membership in four press associations. According to 1930 Federal census records, the Black population of Tucson was 1,003 or 3.08 percent of the total population, while the Black population throughout Arizona was 10,749.

The Arizona Times printed news stories from across the nation on issues facing Black Americans such as segregation, lynching, Jim Crow, race relations and political disenfranchisement. This national - and sometimes international - focus was addressed directly in the September 17, 1926 issue which read, “Each and every week, The Times receives dozens of news dispatches from every nook and corner of the globe. These are all passed upon in instantaneous review . . . Thus, within four pages is presented a graphic picture of the really significant events affecting the lives and aspirations of the Negro people of the world.” 

According to the Bibliographic Checklist of African American Newspapers by Barbara K. Henritze the newspaper ceased publication in 1934.