Atlanta Journal-Constitution publishes final print edition after 157 years

Atlanta Journal-Constitution publishes final print edition after 157 years

ATLANTA, Georgia (CNN)- After 157 years, Atlanta’s flagship newspaper has stopped its printing presses.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published its final print edition Wednesday, marking the end of an era for one of the South’s oldest newspapers. The publication will continue to be available online.

A familiar routine, one last time

For delivery driver David Neeley, the day began like many before it.

Rolling.
Bagging.
Tagging.

“This is a lot like a casino,” Neeley said. “There are no clocks.”

But this time was different. After more than a century and a half, the newspaper’s print edition had reached its end.

“The last headline: ‘What is the Future of Local Media in Atlanta,’” Neeley said.

Decades on the route

The newspaper began its print run in 1868, the same year President Andrew Johnson was impeached.

Neeley has delivered papers for 37 years. Over that time, he has watched routes shrink and circulation decline.

“I remember when Westchester was a route on its own,” he said. “Now I go in there and throw maybe ten papers.”

He said he will miss what print offers that digital platforms cannot.

“Instead of click, click, click, click, it’s just more warm, personal,” Neeley said.

The final deliveries

“So, here we go,” Neeley said as he traveled his final route. “We’ll go around the corner here and start dropping papers.”

He moved through neighborhoods he knows well.

“The foyer in there has to be three stories,” he said, pointing out one home along the route.

The job runs from about 11 p.m. to 6 a.m., seven days a week.

“Some days you have to stop to take a nap,” Neeley said.

He said he looks forward to getting more rest.

“A couple of years ago was the last time I had a day off,” he said.

An emotional goodbye

Despite the long hours, the final shift carried emotion.

“Yeah, I figured we had another year,” Neeley said.

Clocks or not, time continues to move forward — even for the news.

“There it is,” Neeley said as the final paper was delivered.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution will continue publishing digitally as it moves into its next chapter.