About Us

Tucson’s Oldest Mover

Citizens Transfer & Storage Co., Inc., a name synonymous with prompt, dependable service, traces its roots to Arizona’s territorial days. Three local businessmen founded the firm in 1907. In those early years, Citizens Transfer was a local drayage and cartage company. Tucson had few roads, so virtually everything came to town by rail. Company employees would go to the rail yard, load shipments onto horse-drawn wagons, and haul the goods to homes and businesses throughout southern Arizona.

The Belton Family

In 1907, A. M Franklin, T.M. Smith, and H.E. Heighton opened their doors for business as The Citizens Transfer Co. at 24 North Stone. On April 21, 1910, these same people incorporated in the Territory of Arizona as The Citizens Transfer Company.

In 1918, the company was purchased by M.J. and Sophia Brown who sold half ownership in 1919 to Albert and Virginia Montgomery. In 1920, the Montgomery’s sold their share to J.W. Archer.

In May of 1921, Edward Belton joined the company as a clerk. On March 6, 1922, he purchased four shares of company stock.

Mr. Archer and Mr. Belton ran the company successfully until Mr. Archer’s death in 1952. In 1957, Mr. and Mrs. Belton purchased shares from the Archer Estate.

Edward’s Son, E.W. (Bill) Belton joined the company in 1957 as a helper and worked his way up to driver. After several years of driving and warehouse experience, he became a salesperson.

Upon the death of his father in 1984, E.W. (Bill) Belton became the president of the company.

E.W. (Bill) Belton, successfully ran the company with the help of his son, John, who had started out sweeping the floors of the warehouses and worked his way up the ladder within the company. After several job duties at Citizens ranging from an over the road driver to Vice President, John Belton purchased his father’s shares of the company with his sisters Kathy Jones and Mary Ann Carroll in 2000.

John Belton
President & CEO

John Belton is currently the President and CEO of Citizens Transfer and Storage, having bought out his sisters’ ownership in 2004 and 2006, respectively.

From a simple start in 1907 to present, the company has been focused on movement of household goods and commercial freight. In 1998, Citizens entered into the document storage business with Citizens Business Archives which continues to grow with each passing year. Since the beginning, our company has enjoyed continued growth because of our ability to evolve in keeping up with our customers and the community’s needs.

Our Mission Statement

The management team and the skilled employees of Citizens Transfer & Storage Co., Inc. consistently provide professional, efficient and high quality services, meeting the specific needs of each individual customer. We will provide growth for the Company thereby directly benefiting our employees and our customers.

Core Values

Customer Service – Consistently provide professional, first class services to each and every customer.

Reputation – Uphold our long-standing, excellent reputation within the community and amongst our peers by maintaining our status as a company that cares for our customers’ belongings and performs a quality service at all levels.

Employment – Offer professional, rewarding employment opportunities while recruiting only the best candidates.

Employee Welfare – Provide a comfortable and safe work environment for all employees.

Inspiration – Leading by example, build teamwork concepts, promote integrity and create synergies between divisions by inspiring contributions from all levels.

Community Involvement – Provide contributions and services within our community, collectively, and individually.

Diversification – Successfully provide a variety of first-rate product lines in our marketplace.

Education – Strive to gain more knowledge of our industry and business in general for the betterment of the company and the individual.

Goals – Set goals for ourselves, our employees and our company.