The Mountain Messenger
Newspaper building

Present-day upstairs office of The Mountain Messenger in Downieville

Our History

The Mountain Messenger began in 1853 as a twice-per-month publication. Its claim to fame is that Mark Twain once wrote for the paper under his real name, Sam Clemens. He was hiding from authorities in Nevada, where he had accepted a challenge to a duel after dueling had been outlawed. Since that time, not much has changed in the quaint gold rush town of Downieville; residents still rely on the now weekly newspaper for most, if not all, the local news. Threatened by its hometown's dwindling population and resources, The Mountain Messenger was poised to end its run as the longest-running weekly newspaper in California until new owner Carl Butz stepped in. Surrounded by the buzz of the media, Carl reincarnated the weekly paper, thus saving a piece of California history Downieville holds close to its heart.

Contact Us

By Phone: (530) 289-3262

By Email: info@themountainmessenger.org

Staff

Carl J. Butz

Carl J. Butz

Owner, Publisher

carl@themountainmessenger.org
Ryan Steinwert

Ryan Steinwert

Editor-in-Chief

ryan@themountainmessenger.org
Angela Shannon

Angela Shannon

Assistant Editor

Mary P. Johnsen

Proof Reader Par Excellance

Jan Hamilton

Archival Researcher

Lenny Ackerman

Columnist

Rae Bell Arbogast

Columnist

Paul Guffin

Columnist

Jen Henneke

Columnist

Tessa Jordan

Columnist

Stephen Kulieke

Columnist, Reporter

Sandy Sanders

Reporter