The collection contains photograph and manuscript material by June D. Drake, which provides a visual record of Silverton, Oregon, and surrounding areas in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. There are nearly nine hundred photographs by Drake Studios, most with the studio stamp on versos along with detailed manuscript notes, including dates, identification of individuals, and the names of buildings and streets (many of which no longer exist in Silverton). Most of the photos dated before 1900 are copies of photos taken by William L. Jones, and others. The collection may be the working photographs and documents for Drake's unpublished history of Silverton and environs.

Manuscript materials include notes and newspaper clippings on the history of Silverton, Oregon, and its founding, the history of Silver Falls State Park, and history of the Drake and Schoenfeld families. Also included are a ledger of the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society, Ltd., a bound photograph album, and a field camera (Rochester Optical Company's Improved Empire State View Camera, ca. 1905), once owned and used by the studio.