The Hillsboro Star-Journal also shares a milestone with the City of Hillsboro and The Lumberyard.

More than 100 years ago, the newspaper that would eventually become the Star-Journal published its first edition.

Vorwaerts or Vorwarts, a German word for “forward,” was first printed in 1908 with J.J. Entz as editor and publisher.

“The readership was huge,” said Peggy Goertzen, director of Center of Mennonite Brethren Studies, Tabor College. Circulation totaled nearly 10,000.

“There were correspondents from across the country and the world,” she said. “It was a phenomenal networking tool.”

Printed only in German, it was a way to tie together the German community, Goertzen said.

The Hillsboro Journal also was being published at the same time. Vorwaerts and Hillsboro Journal merged.

The Hillsboro Star was born in 1924 and was printed in English. Henry J. Harder was its first editor.

In early 1954, the two papers, Hillsboro Journal and Hillsboro Star merged. In the mix was the Goessel Gazette.

Tal Hiebert was recruited as the editor of the newspaper and was in the position for a year. Ted Ashcroft then was in the position.

Later the newspaper was sold to Ken and Marcella Bruce. There were several owners/editors throughout the years until 1999 when Hoch Publishing Co., publisher of the Marion County Record, purchased the business.

Currently it is the official newspaper of the City of Hillsboro, City of Goessel, USD 410, and USD 411.