Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner

Rock Springs Rocket-Miner
TypeDaily newspaper
OwnerAdams MultiMedia
FounderRobert Smith
Headquarters215 D Street in Rock Springs, Wyoming
Circulation2,734 (as of 2020)[1]
Websitewyomingnews.com/rocketminer

The Rock Springs Rocket-Miner is the daily newspaper of Rock Springs and Sweetwater County in southwestern Wyoming. Published Tuesday-Saturday, the newspaper had previous names until 1965, when it adapted the current Daily Rocket-Miner.[2] The paper expanded into a two-story building in 1974.

History

The newspaper was founded in Green River in the early 1880s as the Sweetwater Gazette by the former Scotland soccer international, Robert Smith. In 1887, he relocated the newspaper to Rock Springs, renaming it the Rock Springs Miner.[3][4]

In 1937, David G. Richardson purchased the Rocket-Miner and moved to Rock Springs from his previous residence in Newcastle, the seat of Weston County in northeastern Wyoming. He continued as the paper's publisher until his death.[5]

Throughout the mid-20th century, the paper became an integral part of the media group managed by Tracy McCraken, who was a dominant figure in Wyoming journalism and politics.[6][7]

Charles Richardson's role

After his death, David Richardson's son, Charles (1934-2009), was elevated from general manager to publisher and president of the corporation's board of directors. Richardson used his leadership role at the newspaper to promote economic progress in Sweetwater County, including expanded infrastructure, the establishment of a new hospital, and the expansion of Western Wyoming Community College. He was appointed by Democratic Governor Michael J. Sullivan to the Wyoming Unemployment Compensation Commission.[8]

Robert H. Johnson, later a state senator from Rock Springs, worked for the Richardsons as managing editor and general manager of the Daily Rocket-Miner from 1948 to 1961.[9]

As of 2026, the Rocket-Miner remains a property of Adams Publishing Group (APG), specifically within its "APG Media of the Rockies" division.[10] In late 2024, APG appointed Vince Bodiford as the Regional President for Wyoming to oversee the Rocket-Miner along with other state titles like the Wyoming Tribune Eagle and the Laramie Boomerang.[11]

Web presence

News site rocketminer.com allows access to national news links, classified advertising, obituaries, and legal notices. Most of the local news is not accessible through the website without a subscription.[12]

References

  1. ^ "Regional Maps with Circulation (Wyoming)" (PDF). adamspg.com. August 1, 2020. Retrieved April 9, 2023.
  2. ^ "About this Newspaper". chroniclingamerica.loc.gov. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  3. ^ Mitchell, Andy (2012). First Elevens: The Birth of International Football. Andy Mitchell Media. pp. 62–63. ISBN 978-1475206845.
  4. ^ Homsher, Lola (1971). Guide to Wyoming Newspapers, 1867-1967. Cheyenne, WY: Wyoming State Library. LCCN 73634354.
  5. ^ Richardson, Charles E. (June 15, 1987). "The Rock Springs Daily Rocket-Miner: A Century of Service". Casper Star-Tribune. p. B1.
  6. ^ McCraken, Tracy (November 8, 2014). "From a $3,000 Loan to a Newspaper Empire". WyoHistory.org. Wyoming State Historical Society. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  7. ^ Rhodes, Dusty (2010). Sweetwater County (Images of America). Arcadia Publishing. ISBN 978-0738580760.
  8. ^ "Obituary of Charles Richardson". ’’Wyoming Tribune-Eagle’’. Retrieved July 22, 2009.
  9. ^ "Robert H. Johnson Obituary". Wyoming Tribune Eagle. Retrieved June 23, 2011.
  10. ^ "Rocket-Miner to Cut Back Publication to Twice a Week". SweetwaterNOW. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  11. ^ "APG November Newsletter 2024". Adams Publishing Group. October 29, 2024. Retrieved January 5, 2026.
  12. ^ "Rocketminer.com". rocketminer.com. Retrieved July 22, 2009.


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