Founded on March 7, 1889, by Henry Clay Ragland, The Logan Banner (originally known as The Logan County Banner) began as a weekly newspaper with a Democratic political lean. Ragland, a Confederate veteran and prolific writer, personally prepared much of the paper’s content, which included local news, poetry, and detailed county histories. The publication’s early years were defined by its coverage of the West Virginia Mine Wars (1912–1921) and a notable ideological shift; in 1903, under new editor George A. Dean, the paper transitioned from its Democratic roots to openly endorsing Republican politics, a stance it maintained for much of the 20th century. 

The paper underwent significant modernization under the leadership of Clarence H. Frey, who acquired the struggling publication in 1921. In 1935, Frey expanded the weekly into an afternoon daily, publishing five days a week and spearheading the paper’s growth for nearly four decades until his death in 1960. Frey was also a pioneer in local media beyond print, co-founding Logan’s first radio station, WLOG, in 1940. Following the Frey era, the newspaper saw a series of ownership changes, including a period under Jim Muscia and later Smith Newspapers in 1975, while continuing to serve as a vital record for Logan and surrounding counties. 

In the 21st century, The Logan Banner weathered the broader industry shift toward corporate consolidation and digital platforms. It was owned by Civitas Media before being acquired in 2017 by HD Media LLC, which also owns the Charleston Gazette-Mail. Under this new ownership, the paper adjusted its publication frequency to address changing market demands, moving to a tri-weekly schedule in 2018 before returning to its original weekly format on Wednesdays in 2019. Despite these changes, it remains a primary news source for the Guyandotte River community, focusing on local politics, sports, and community milestones.