Andrews, Oregon

Ghost town in Oregon, United States

42°27′51″N 118°36′48″W / 42.46417°N 118.61333°W / 42.46417; -118.61333CountryUnited StatesStateOregonCountyHarneyElevation

4,157 ft (1,267 m)Population

(as of 1996)

• Total0 (ghost town)Time zonePacific

Andrews is a ghost town in Harney County, Oregon, United States.^[1] It is located south of Steens Mountain and near the Alvord Desert.

History

The community was named for Peter Andrews, who settled in the area about 1880.^[2] A post office was established on Andrews' property in 1890.^[2] The post office was moved north a short distance in 1900 and called "Wildhorse" or "Wild Horse".^[2] Locals referred to it as "Wild Hog", however, so the postmaster changed the name to honor his friend Andrews.^[2]

At its peak the community had about 150 residents. However, the population of Andrews slowly declined until only one house remained. When it burned down in 1996, the community became a ghost town.^[2]^[3]

In 2011, artist John Simpkins moved into the abandoned school at Andrews. He set up residence in the teacher's cottage and turned the schoolhouse into his studio. He spent nearly a decade living and working at the school until 2020 when the property owner ordered him to vacate the buildings.^[4]^[5]

Climate

According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Andrews has a semi-arid climate, abbreviated "BSk" on climate maps.^[6]

References

^ "Andrews, Oregon". Geographic Names Information System. United States Geological Survey, United States Department of the Interior.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e McArthur, Lewis A.; McArthur, Lewis L. (2003) [1928]. Oregon Geographic Names (7th ed.). Portland, Oregon: Oregon Historical Society Press. p. 24. ISBN 978-0875952772.
^ Wallace, Kelsey, "Painter John Simpkins Creates Beauty From Solitude", Oregon Public Broadcasting, Portland, Oregon, 30 June 2017.
^ Bird, Anna. Painting Big in the Playa, 1859 (magazine), Statehood Media, Bend, Oregon, 1 July 2016.
^ McCurdy, Christen, This Artist Is the Sole Resident of an Oregon Ghost Town. He’s Just Been Told to Leave, Portland Monthly, Portland, Oregon, 18 December 2020.
^ Climate Summary for Andrews, Oregon