John W. Leonard founded the initial
Enterprise as a weekly newspaper in 1880. It became a daily under editor W.W. McLeod in 1896 or 1897, to compete with crosstown rival
Beaumont Journal (founded 1889). and bought the paper outright in 1920, while
Governor of Texas. One of his co-owners was general manager/associate publisher James Mapes. According to the Texas State Historical Association, the
Enterprise "attained national stature" under Mapes' leadership — He came to the newspaper in 1908 and rose to ownership by 1931. and the daily
Orange Leader), the pair boosted the
Journal circulation and eventually Hobby bought the
Journal.
Jefferson-Pilot bought the
Enterprise and
Journal in 1970. Operating separately under the same company for many years, the
Enterprise and
Journal merged in 1983. The
Hearst Corporation acquired the
Enterprise from the Jefferson-Pilot insurance company's publications arm in 1984. ==References==