The precinct of Halsey was once part of the Burlington precinct. among the first settlers were Owen Bear, J. W. Smith, J. M. Coon and others, who took up land along the ‘Willamette River during 1846-47 and 48. The Burlington precinct was organized in 1850 and kept its name as long as the voting place remained at the town of Burlington. In 1857 Peoria began its existence and the precinct name was changed to Peoria. In 1872 Halsey was cut off from Peoria precinct (98).

Halsey was laid out and incorporated in 1871 when the railroad passed through on its way south. Around 1878 shipments of wheat from Halsey amounted to some 400,000 bushels per year. Of manufactories there were then a planing mill, and the Grangers had a store and warehouse. At the beginning the town was merely a station on the O & C RR (99); a few years later there were three churches, a school, sash and door factory (99). The various population changes are recorded by the U. S. Census as follow:

1880 — 306 inhabitants; 1890 — 270; 1900 — 294; 1910 — 453; 1920 — 573;1930 — 575; 1940 — 622.