The Peninsula Pulse debuted with 1,000 copies on May 24, 1996 as an eight-page arts and entertainment periodical.
That year, a total of 10 issues were produced. Since that time, the paper has grown to a circulation of over 18,000 in peak season, with free distribution to all mailboxes in Northern Door, to 750 street locations from Kewaunee to Washington Island, and to a growing subscription base (free subscriptions are
granted to Sturgeon Bay and Southern Door residents). Now a publication comprised of almost 100 pages and three sections in peak season, the Pulse began publishing every week, throughout the year, in 2014.
Originally an arts and entertainment publication, the Peninsula Pulse has expanded to cover a wide array of topics related to the Door Peninsula including, among other things: news, community and business information, regular in-depth feature stories, columns from a variety of local voices, visual arts and gallery information, regional literature, entertainment information, sports and league updates, humor, class listings and classifieds.
Though the Pulse is one of an increasingly rare breed of independent, locally owned media outlets, it has thrived in a marketplace largely dominated by media giants. And, it is increasingly recognized as the voice of the Door County community.