Archives West Finding Aid

Lee D. Drake (1882-1957) was born to James Adelbert Drake and Josephine Georgette Ann (Dolsen) Drake and lived most of his life in Umatilla County, primarily in Pendleton, Oregon. A newspaperman and promoter in Astoria and Pendleton, Oregon, Drake was associated as manager, owner, or editor with the Astoria Budget, the Pendleton East Oregonian, and the Twin Falls Idaho Evening Times. Drake was also one of the founders of the Northwestern Publishers' Syndicate.

Drake used his administrative and technical expertise to support several newspapers, work with some of the most influential men in Oregon journalism history, and help advance the unified action of Oregon newspapers through service with regional organizations. He was also an active civic promoter, serving on several Chambers of Commerce (including the Oregon State Chamber of Commerce, 1922-1928), assisting with political campaigns, helping found and support the Pendleton Round-Up and the Happy Canyon pageant, playing in several bands, serving in the National Guard and running civil defense, managing baseball teams and creating leagues, and taking leadership in the Elks.

Lee Drake demonstrated an interest in historical materials and a longstanding commitment to preservation. He served as vice president of the Old Oregon Trail Association for Umatilla County in 1951, and that year "started taking pictures of all the prominent Indians." He was responsible for placing the images of photographers Walter S. Bowman (PH004) and Lee Moorhouse (PH036) at the University of Oregon Libraries, establishing a core group of Northeastern Oregon images that remains an unparalleled documentary source.