Whitney was named for a pioneer in the county, C.H. Whitney. The community of Whitney had a post office from 1901-1943.

Whitney was the primary station on the narrow gauge Sumpter Valley Railway.

According to a United States Forest Service sign on the road:

A Town Named Whitney ~ Rails of the Sumpter Valley R. R. reached Whitney Valley June 1. 1901. Originally a lumber company town, Whitney grew to become the main head of the Stage Lines to mining and cattle towns such as Unity, Bridgeport and Malheur City.

Logging railroads were built in all directions out of Whitney during the next 20 years. Nibley Lumber Company set up a large sawmill south of town in 1911 as loggers "Daylighted" the large stands of yellow pine nearby. At one time over 150 people called Whitney their home. When the railway was abandoned in 1947, the town closed its doors.

The Antlers Guard Station, which is on the National Register of Historic Places, is in the Whitney area.

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