The Ballantines

Book excerpt: Seventy years ago, an Ivy League-educated lawyer, his wife from a prominent Midwestern media family, and their four children moved to a small town in Southwestern Colorado. They bought two struggling newspapers, melded them into one and started building a legacy – one issue at a time. Arthur and Morley Ballantine not only made Durango their home, they helped mobilize their fellow business owners and neighbors to transform that sleepy little community into a thriving center of education, culture, enterprise, and philanthropy. The Durango Herald quickly became known as an award-winning publication staffed with hard-working, industrious journalists who wouldn’t shy from an important story, no matter who might want it quashed. This is the story of a community-minded family with deep connections in the highest levels of government and education. It is the story of how their newspaper has kept its subscribers informed of important issues and news stories big and small. It is a reminder of local newspapers’ unique role as the glue that binds and enlightens the people of their towns. The Ballantines: Building Community Issue by Issue not only traces the history of a remarkable family, but also reminds us of the vital role that quality journalism plays as the underpinning of a community.