Over the years a number of newspapers have served the Union City area.  Some covered all of Alameda County, some Washington Township, some Decoto or Alvarado, and more recent ones covered Union City (after incorporation).  This web page details those that specifically covered the Union City Area.

The Pioneer (1929 - 1946)

Started in 1929 by George H. Oaks and printed in a small shack that was on Union City Blvd (Levee St. at that time).  George H. Oaks sold the "Hayward Journal", a newspaper started by his father George A. Oaks in the 1870's, and started the "The Pioneer".  In 1946, Oaks started the "News Register" with Stuart Nixon, which eventually was absorbed into "The Argus."  While still pubilishing the "The Pioneer", George H. Oaks, brought his son, George P. Oaks, into the publishing business.  George P. Oaks would continue with his father at the "News Register" and would eventually become a Hayward City Councilmember. Interesting to note is that on the masthead, it is Mrs. G. H. Oaks that is listed as the publisher.  Some published histories refer to "The Pioneer" as "Alvarado Pioneer".  The only known copy is of the April 12, 1935 issue, which is on MicroFilm at the Doe Library at the University of California at Berkeley.

Union City Leader (1959 - 1973)

The "Union City Leader" was founded by Richard L. Folger on Oct. 22, 1959.  It was published as a weekly, coming out every Thursday.  In 1970, Paul Kinney was the editor and Pat Owens was a reporter.  When Paul Kinney left, Pat Owens took over for a short time as Interim Editor.  In 1967, Jeff Hawley was doing writing for the newspaper.  The newspaper closed due to financial problems.  The Union City Historical Museum has a few copies of this newspaper.

Union City Outlook (1975)

The "Union City Outlook" was founded by Richard G. Ford, of Ford Publications.  It was a weekly newspaper that started publication on April 30, 1975.  It lasted less than a year, with it's final publication on Nov. 19, 1975.   Hal Heverly and Anne Wright where writers, with John Stocco and Terry Brinkerhoff covering sports.  Richard Ford has also worked at Folger Publications, the firm that published the "Union City Leader".  Like the "Leader", the "Outlook" succommed to financial problems.

Decoto Messenger and Decoto News

Little information is available on these newspapers, other than that they did exist.

Other Newspapers

Two publications have been produced for Union City that look like newspapers, but were more like house-organs for different groups.  Primarily they did not take outside advertising.

Union City Sentinal

This "newspaper" was pubished in 1988 by the "NO on Measure A" committe, with Mayor Tom Kitayama as committe chairman.  At least two issues were published.  It mostly covered the issues involved with the development of the 511 area of Union City (west of Union City Blvd on the south end of the City).  The second issue was published March 1, 1988.  The Union City Historical Musuem has one copy of this newspaper.

Union City Journal

This "newspaper" was published in 1986 and 1987 "as a free community information service by Ponderosa Homes of Northern California."  A banner on issue #4 of volume 2 claims a readership of 40,000 people.  The Union City Historical Museum has one copy is this newspaper.