Built in 1891 by A. H. Waite, manager of the Kansas City Mercantile Co., the Waite Block was intended for two separate retail establishments and became the home of the Guthrie Daily Leader by 1894. Founded in 1892 as the Territory's Democratic newspaper, the Leader rose to prominence under editor Leslie Niblack and occupied the east half of the building, with presses on the ground floor and editorial offices above. By 1903 it had expanded into both bays, adding a book binding operation on the second floor above the presses and offices. After acquiring the assets of the State Capital in 1911, the paper increased its circulation. Its editorial offices returned to the second floor during the 1920's and moved back to the first floor during the 1930's. In 1953 extensive remodeling removed the interior separating wall and covered the original brick and stone exterior, and further changes in editors and ownership followed. Offset printing presses were installed in 1967, and in 1976 Donald W. Reynolds of Donrey Media, Inc., oversaw a complete interior and exterior remodeling. Although the facade no longer follows the original design and instead reflects a derivative Victorian style, the paper flourished when Harrison Avenue became the center of commercial Guthrie, and through its annual '89er Special Editions it long stood at the forefront of Guthrie's historical preservation movement.