Organizational History
Radio station WTON was founded in 1944 under the call sign WSTN, changing to its present name in 1946. The first radio station licensed to Staunton, Virginia, it began life as ABC Radio Network affiliate; at present (May 2019) it is an ESPN Radio affiliate.
Charles P. Blackley was the first owner and operator of WTON. Blackley was born February 22, 1909 in Staunton, Virginia. He was co-founder and general manager of radio station WSVA, the first commercial broadcaster in the Shenandoah Valley, beginning in 1935. After a stint in the United States Army Signal Corps during World War II, Blackley founded WTON. He passed away December 10, 1999. Further information about the life of Charles P. Blackley can be found in the finding aid for the Blackley Family Papers at James Madison University (see related material).