WCSR began in 1955 as 100-watt AM station WBSE in downtown Hillsdale. In 1962 the station moved to its current location at 170 North West Street, with the AM growing to 500 watts and the call letters being changed to WCSR. In 1974, FM 92.1, a 6000 watt station, was born. WCSR was owned by the Flynn family from 1982 to 2020, and Tony Flynn was with the stations from 1961 until his death in January of 2019. Tony was a 1999 inductee into the Hillsdale College Charger Athletics Hall of Fame. Longtime WCSR news director, the late Parke Hayes, joined Tony in the Hall of Fame in 2003. Tony’s son, Michael Flynn was Vice President and General Manager of WCSR, Inc. for several years, until his retirement of 47 years with the station in February 2020.
On February 27, 2020, McKibbin Media Group (MMG) purchased the stations. Owner, Jamie McKibbin, is a Hillsdale County native who also owns stations in Jackson, Michigan. McKibbin launched 99-5 The Dale, Hillsdale County’s own country format radio station, broadcasting on both 1340AM and 99.5FM, while 92.1FM remains a staple in Hillsdale County for local news, weather, sports, and hit music.
Hillsdale County Historical Society article by JoAnne Miller.