Whitney is the largest community in South Algonquin and lies at the junction of Highway 60 and the Madawaska River, just outside the eastern boundary of Renfrew County. It originated in the late 19th century as a timber town, feeding the extensive logging operations of the Upper Madawaska and Algonquin Park regions.

The arrival of the Ottawa, Arnprior and Parry Sound Railway positioned Whitney as a key launch point for rail and river-based timber movement. The community grew to include company offices, bunkhouses, stores, and eventually a local government. Today, Whitney serves as a gateway to Algonquin Park and a hub for recreational access.

Surveying Whitney means contending with multiple influences: early rail plans, Crown patents issued to timber companies, mill sites, and 20th-century subdivisions. Riverfront occupation, relocated roads, and historical infrastructure have shifted lot lines, and title research often involves cross-referencing park boundaries and expropriation maps.