History

Many people have wondered about the significance of the train as the emblem of our school. The train represents the old Whitford railroad station from which this area derives its name. As far as is known, the three-sided green and yellow station which used to stand across from the Chevron service station at the intersection of Allen and Scholls Ferry Roads was named for W.A. White and A.C. Bedford, prominent capitalists of New York City, who were directors of the Oregon Electric Railway Company during the early history of the line.

The Bertha-Beaverton Railroad was completed in 1872 and later a branch was added that went through present-day Whitford and extended as far west as Forest Grove. At first the railroad used steam engines, but in 1900 the change was made to electric engines.

Prior to 1920 the small one-room schoolhouse which stood near the present-day McKay School served all eight grades.  Two students sat to a desk and a large pot-bellied stove  stood in one corner. Toward the rear of the building was a small balcony which was above the cloakroom. 

This area had become known as Whitford because of the railroad's importance. However, around 1920 when the electric railway was discontinued through Whitford because of the horseless carriage's popularity and because of debts acquired during the extreme rationing of World War I, the school became known as McKay after the McKay family which owned the property between present-day Progress and Allen Avenue.

Whitford Intermediate School was constructed during​ the early 1960's and opened its doors for the first time to seventh and eighth graders in the fall of 1963.