The first issue of the Western Historical Quarterly appeared in mailboxes in March 1970, but the journal’s inception began nine years earlier when interested history buffs, professionals, and academic historians met in Santa Fe and formed the Western History Association. During its early years, the WHA partnered with publishers of American West magazine to offer members a historical publication. But by 1967, WHA leaders recognized the need for an academic journal of their own, one that would solidify the scholarly reputation of the organization and the field of western American history. They knew the kind of high production values and professional editing they wanted, but finding an academic publisher proved difficult.