Brief history

Drewsey was founded in 1883 and was originally part of Grant County (just north of Harney County).  Joseph Lamb was the earliest known settler in 1877.  The post office was established in 1883,  followed by the saloon, livery stables, hotel, and blacksmith in 1884.  There were 60 settlers by 1886.  Electricity finally found its way to Drewsey in 1942 on Christmas Eve.

Today the population is 22, and Drewsey is the largest unincorporated community in Harney County.   Located on the Middle Fork of the Malheur River, the only major stream draining out of Harney County, Drewsey is in the extreme northeast corner of the county, 45 miles from Burns and three miles north of Highway 20. Drewsey serves as the postal, shopping, and social center for an area of over 500 square miles.  The primary occupation is ranching or timber-related industry.  There is a two-room elementary school, a two-story community hall and a library.

The town is located near good fishing on Beulah and Warm Springs Reservoirs and the Malheur River. There is excellent deer and antelope hunting nearby and herds of elk are  located in the  Van area, approximately 22 miles northwest.

Also found nearby are deposits of petrified wood and bones, fossil leaf prints, obsidian, diatomaceous earth and cinnabar. Arrowheads and agates are also found in the vicinity.

Campsites in area

• Rock Springs USFS: Approximately 15 miles west of Van.   Toilets, tables and fireplaces. (Grant County).

• Chukkar Park--BLM:  5 miles north of Juntura (approximately 24 miles east of Drewsey) 19 fireplaces and grills, pit toilets. (Malheur County) 

• Beulah Reservoir: Pit toilets only.

• Warm Springs Reservoir: No facilities
   

Crops and soil

Crops grown in the Drewsey area consist of wild hay and alfalfa.  The soil is okay for growing some vegetables, the growing season is from late June to early September, with an expected frost in June and August.

You will find a wide range of soils in Drewsey. There is some sandy soil as well as clay soil, there are also some patches of soil that have a high level of alkali in them.

Climate

The climate in the winter is moderate and seldom below zero, although there are a couple weeks each year when it may get below zero.  When this happens, the temperature usually stays there for several days. The summer is nice and not too hot with the temperature in the low 90's.

Mileage from Burns

The total highway miles from Burns to Drewsey is 45 miles.