The Chester County Independent was founded in 1865, at the end of the Civil War. It was originally called the Henderson Headlight and went through a few name changes and owners throughout the years, before settling on its current flag. At that time the office was located on S. Washington Ave.
In 1951 T.D, Pace purchased the Independent and ran it until he sold it 1965 to H.F. “Woodie” Whaley and his wife Carolyn.
Woodie Whaley began his newspaper career at the Weakley County Press in Martin.
Under his guidance the newspaper, keeping up with new printing methods made the transformation from letter press to the current method of offset printing.
He and eight other newspaper owners joined together and formed Associated Publishers, Inc. in Huntingdon.
Woodie suffered a massive heart attack in 1975 and died at age 48. Shortly after his untimely death the newspaper was moved to N. Franklin Ave., just behind Chester County Bank (now Centennial Bank).
Carolyn stepped into the publisher’s role and held that position until she sold the newspaper to her son, Scott Whaley in 1992.
Scott had been involved in the business since his early years when he delivered the newspapers to the Electric Grill.
Working under his mother’s guidance, in various roles, he became the Independent’s owner in 1992 when his mother sold him the business.
In 1993 Scott bought property on S. Church Ave. and constructed an office where the newspaper now resides.
Interested in growing the business, Scott developed a printing facility next door to the Independent’s office, naming it Independent Publishing in 1995.
In addition to the Independent, he printed 14 area publications.
Scott sold both businesses to Albrecht Newspapers Inc., in Cookeville. The Albrecht owned six newspapers in Tennessee and North Carolina.
Whaley continued to manage both companies, advancing to the roll of regional publisher in 2001 with oversight over the TN papers.
In 2006 the businesses were sold to American Hometown Publishing, in Franklin. Whaley continued his role as regional publisher, adding newspapers in Oklahoma and Virginia to his territory.
The newspaper once again changed ownership in 2013 to Magic Valley Publishing to long-time newspaper owner Dennis Richardson of Camden.
Scott once again named regional publisher and saw after the operation of 11 publications in West Tennessee.
In March 2024 Scott purchased the Independent from MVP and currently remains as the newspaper’s owner.