1865 – April 26th, at the conclusion of the Civil War, James W. Brooks (1844-1918) returns home to Richmond, VA with his horse which he used in the cavalry. While originally hauling anything for anyone needing it, the company began moving people across the James River via the Mayo Bridge. However, in 1887 the first electric street car was introduced in Richmond and J.W. saw this competition as the future of “people transportation” so he exited the passenger operation and went back to hauling merchandise and household goods.
1878 – J.W. Brooks officially organizes Brooks Transportation Company.
1903 – Brooks celebrates their 25th Anniversary.
1914 – Brooks buys their first “horseless wagon”, a motorized truck manufactured by White Motor Company.
1918 – James A. “Jimmy” Brooks (1879-1948) becomes the second President of the Company when his father James W. died.
1928 – Brooks celebrates their 50th Anniversary.
1930 – May 20th, Brooks Transfer & Storage Co., Inc. is officially registered as a Virginia Corporation.
1947 – Brooks Transfer & Storage joins forces with 16 other independent moving companies to found United Van Lines, of which they are still a Class A Shareholder to this day.
1948 – C. Fair Brooks (1889-1978) succeeds his brother, Jimmy, as the third President of the Company until his death in 1978.
1952 – Brooks expands into Virginia Beach.
1953 – Brooks celebrates their 75th Anniversary.
1960 – Brooks Transportation, the large 200+ truck freight division of the Company, is sold to Hemingway Transport.
1978 – C. Fair Brooks, III (1949 – present) becomes the fourth President of the Company. Additionally, Brooks celebrates their 100th Anniversary.
1982 – Brooks Transfer moves into its’ current location on London Bridge Road in Virginia Beach, VA.
1992 – United Van Lines becomes the “#1 Mover in the Nation” as far as market share and has held this title to this very day.
1998 – Jeffrey “Jeff” Brooks (1968 – present) becomes the fifth President of the Company.
2003 – Brooks celebrates their 125th Anniversary.
2006 – The Company’s Headquarter is moved from Richmond to Virginia Beach upon the retirement of C. Fair Brooks, III.
2013 – Brooks Transfer is recognized by Inside Business magazine for their 135th Anniversary, the oldest company being recognized in this December 23rd issue.