History of Beaverton School Buses: From 3 in 1925 to 300 in 2025

In early days, students traveled to school along roads that were muddy in winter and dusty in summer. They walked, sometimes for miles, rode on a pony or in a wagon. By the 1890s, a horse-drawn “School Car” had been developed by Wayne Works in Indiana; the vehicle had wooden seats, roof, and open sides. Although a motorized version was produced by 1914, gas-powered conveyances were in the future for Beaverton youngsters.

In 1922, the Beaverton Times reported the Cooper Mountain school bus was making regular trips between there and Beaverton High. Cooper Mountain was then an independent district, one of thirteen that reorganized to form the new, unified Beaverton School District 48 in 1960.

Beaverton’s fleet began with one bus to start the September 1925 school year, purchased from Otto Erickson, who owned a garage and Ford dealership in town. Twenty-four high school students were on board the initial run. School Board chairman, Dr. C.E.Mason, quickly directed the route to transport about 30 students. When the second bus hadn’t arrived, two or three touring cars (family-style 4-door sedans seating four or more passengers) were used. A third bus was added in October 1925 to carry increased demand.

Several factors created an urgency for more: The city’s population increased to 900 by the decade’s end, small country districts consolidated, enrollment grew, and grade school children were now brought in from outlying areas. There were five school buses by 1928 and eight by 1931.

The 1920s and 1930s saw vastly improved safety features as national standards were implemented. Steel replaced wooden bodies, glass windows followed roll up canvas tarps, pillars separated windows, and front-facing seats replaced side-facing benches. High-visibility bright yellow with black lettering came into use in 1939.

The 1940s were a time of significant change. During World War II, Hillsboro resident J.B. McGinn contracted with District 48 to provide school transportation, an arrangement that lasted throughout the conflict. Oregon Department of Transportation likewise warned school authorities and operators not to delay bus overhauls; a scarcity of skilled mechanics and parts could result in buses being out of service.

Outsourcing ended after the war years. The School Board purchased a 59-passenger vehicle from Carr Chevrolet in 1949 for $5,149 ( $69,784 in 2025), planning to add more for the steadily increasing influx. When school principals in eastern Washington County decried the absence of stop signal arms required by new legislation, Sheriff R.H.Busch warned drivers to stop on a two-lane road and slow to 15 mph on a three-or four lane road. Violaters would be cited and warrants issued.

Enrollment grew as city’s population zoomed: 2,572 in 1950, 18,577 in 1970, 59,775 in 1990 and 97,500 in 2025. The economy diversified, major residential expansion added new families, and new schools were built.

One hundred years after it began with just three vehicles, Beaverton School District has expanded its fleet to about 300 diesel, propane and electric powered buses and vans as of September 2025. It is the largest publically owned fleet in Oregon, according to BSD. In 2021. it was the first district in Oregon to acquire electric buses and is now transforming the way to sustainable student transportation.

Note: Population in 1920 was 580. Population in 1930 was 900.

By Ann Koppy, local historian.