On a stretch of Route 5 cluttered with modest-sized businesses, only the post office sign is a reminder that you’re in the village of St. Johnsbury Center. Fire, flood, ice
FreightWaves Haul of Fame: St. Johnsbury Trucking proudly served the Northeast for more than 70 years A St.Johnsbury Trucking tractor-trailer. (Photo: Gary Morton Collection)
St. Johnsbury Trucking was formed by brothers Harry and Milton (Mickey) Zabarksy in 1920 in St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Even earlier (1918), Maurice, the youngest brother, helped their father convert a roadster into a truck and began hauling area farmers’ milk to market.
As the company became more established, Harry and Mickey began hauling farmers’ milk and meat to Boston by truck, while the bulk of these commodities were shipped by rail. The company became a household name in 1927 following one of Vermont’s worst floods. The Zabarksy brothers branched out and hauled mail and household goods to service those affected by the flood after the railroad tracks and trestles had been washed away.