About Us

Learn About Earl Farnsworth Express

The relationship between the Farnsworths and the transportation industry dates back to the great earthquake of 1906 when Drayers Farnsworth & Ruggles hauled supplies to the earthquake victims and eventually evolved into one of the largest West Coast drayage companies of their time. Over one hundred years later, the third and fourth generations of Farnsworths continue to haul goods around the San Francisco Bay Area.

Moving for Over 3 Generations

In 1971, Earl Farnsworth, who had started working in the family moving business at age 14, decided to start what is today known as Earl Farnsworth Express by working out of his home with one moving van and a pickup truck. Earl eventually became an agent for Atlas Van Lines. In 1981, his success enabled him to build a state-of-the-art warehouse facility in San Rafael, and he soon became an agent for Mayflower Transit Company.

Earl Farnsworth, along with his sons, Cal & John, and his valued employees, have together built the reputation of Earl Farnsworth Express to be the highest quality moving company in the local and nationwide moving industry today.

State of the Art Warehouse in San Rafael, CA

Earl Farnsworth, who started working in the family business at age 14, founded what is today known as Earl Farnsworth Express. In 1981, his success enabled him to build a state-of-the-art warehouse facility in San Rafael, California, and he soon became an agent for Mayflower Transit, Inc. Earl Farnsworth, along with his sons and valued employees, have together built the reputation of Earl Farnsworth Express to be that of the highest quality moving company in the local moving industry today. Cal Farnsworth, Earl’s eldest son, continues to carry on the same quality practices and services that his father began years ago.

Trained and Professional Movers

Earl Farnsworth Express provides trained professional movers who continually attend ongoing training and certification in their field. The many years of combined experience of our staff is the reason for our top-rated reputation in the moving industry.

Looking Back – History Earl Farnsworth Express

Earl Farnsworth Express follows a family tradition of moving services dating back to the great San Francisco Earthquake of 1906. Today, Farnsworth Express is the Marin agent for Mayflower Transit.

Going Back to the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake

The Farnsworth name goes back many years in the Bay Area moving business – all the way back to the great San Francisco Earthquake, when Earl’s grandfather and great-uncle hauled barrels of drinking water to quake victims by horse and wagon. From this experience, Farnsworth & Ruggles was founded and, for many years, was one of the largest drayage firms on the West Coast.

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Earl Farnsworth started in the moving business in 1950, working part-time for his stepfather, Dick Hardin, and Hardin’s partner, Charles Pierce, who at that time were Bekins agents in San Rafael. He worked for Pierce-Hardin through high school and college and, after a three-year hitch in the Navy, rejoined the firm, then agents for North America. In 1960, he became the assistant manager and later left to take Crockett’s position in 1968, which led to the birth of Earl Farnsworth Express in 1971.

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Earl Farnsworth Express Is Born

Unlike many new companies during this time, Earl Farnsworth Express was successful from the start. Operating out of their San Rafael home, Earl and Lenore began with only one van and a pickup truck, but within a very short time, acquired a great deal of business moving pianos and medium-sized households and offices. During these early years, the Express delivered new pianos for Steinway, Sherman & Clay, Miracle Music, Dominican College, and a number of piano tuners in the San Rafael area.

With a philosophy of “take care of the customer, and they’ll use you again,” the company grew steadily through the 1970s and early 1980s, moving thousands of households and organizations, such as Pacific Gas & Electric, West America Bank, Equitable Life Assurance, and Logo Paris. In 1971, Earl and a handful of part-time helpers grossed $60,000; in 1986, the firm had 12 full-time employees and one million dollars in business.

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Growing In San Rafael – Constructing A Moving and Storage Facility

By 1981, Earl Farnsworth was able to construct an ultramodern 40,000-square-foot moving and storage facility located at 2111 Francisco Boulevard East. The facility houses 12,000 square feet of clean, containerized storage space and a climatic-controlled storage vault. The company’s new fleet of custom-built air-ride vans includes the latest safety features for moving furniture, computers, and office equipment – even automobiles – damage-free. As a Marin agent for Mayflower Transit, Farnsworth offers the efficiency and experience of one of the country’s oldest and largest nationwide van lines.

The fourth generation of Farnsworths grew up in the business. Earl Jr. (Cal) is now President of the company, and Farnsworth’s younger son, John, started in the sales department in 1986.

Charitable Giving a Company Tradition

Farnsworth Express continues to be the “mover” in San Rafael's civic affairs. We have donated thousands of boxes of food and toys to the city’s needy every Christmas and provide many moving services free of charge to the United Way, YMCA, Rotary, and several other charitable organizations in the San Rafael area.