“Proudly serving the Siskiyou County area for over 100 years.”
Yreka Transfer is more than a trucking company. We are a living part of Siskiyou County’s history. For over a century, our family-owned and operated business has proudly served the community from our home base in Yreka, California. What began as a one-horse operation during the final days of the Gold Rush has grown into one of the longest-standing businesses in Siskiyou County.
Today, Yreka Transfer provides curbside trash pickup, commercial waste hauling, and recycling for homes and businesses all around Siskiyou County. Our story is one of hard work, innovation, and generations of families committed to serving their neighbors.
The Early Years: A Horse, a Buggy, and a Vision
Yreka Transfer began in the late 1800s, when Christian Schock set out with nothing more than a horse, a buggy, and a determination to make a living. He spent his days navigating rough roads and rugged terrain, delivering hay, barley, and firewood to families and businesses across the area. Life wasn’t easy. The Gold Rush had faded, and the region was still finding its footing. Schock’s hard work, honesty, and dedication quickly earned the trust of his neighbors.
After Christian passed away in 1913, his son Henry Schock took the reins and carried the family business into a new era. With the arrival of the automobile, Henry saw an opportunity to go farther and do more. Christian expanded delivery routes to include Scott Valley and even as far as Happy Camp. It was also during this time that he introduced sanitation services, a new venture that would grow into Yreka Transfer’s flagship service.
Growth Through Grit: The Strofeld Years
In the mid-1900s, the Schock family passed the torch to George Strofeld. Strofeld added new services, including oil and fuel delivery, while continuing the hands-on approach that had made Yreka Transfer a trusted name in the community. Trash collection in those days was no small feat. Each container, many weighing over 100 pounds, was lifted and hand-dumped onto the back of a state truck, day after day, rain or shine. Strofeld’s determination, grit, and willingness to do whatever it took kept the business moving forward, laying the groundwork for the next chapter of Yreka Transfer’s long and storied history.
A New Chapter: The Crovelle Family
On February 2, 1959, Anthony and Joan Crovelle purchased Yreka Transfer, beginning a new era that continues today. Anthony, known to many as “Crowbar”, grew up working on ranches throughout Siskiyou County and brought an unmatched work ethic to the business. Determined to uphold the company’s reputation, Tony worked from early morning until sundown on the route, then headed to a second job as a night janitor to help repay the loan used to purchase the business. He literally worked around the clock to ensure Yreka Transfer’s success.
Joan Crovelle matched that dedication. A self-taught bookkeeper, she managed the company’s finances with precision and care even though she had been forced to leave school in the fifth grade during the Great Depression. Together, Tony and Joan built a business known for honesty, reliability, and hard work.
A Family Business in Every Sense
Tony and Joan raised three children, Linda, Tony Jr., and Sharon. All the siblings would all go on to play vital roles in the company.
Linda Crovelle worked in moving and accounting for over 40 years, adapting from handwritten ledgers to modern computer systems before retiring in 2014. She still visits the office regularly and continues to help when needed.
Tony Crovelle Jr. led the moving and storage division for decades. In 1964, the company built a warehouse on Allen Street, officially expanding into moving and storage services. Tony and his brother-in-law Pat Healy logged nearly one million miles in a 1973 International truck affectionately known as “Old Blue.”
Sharon Crovelle became a partner in 1980. Over the decades she has guided the company through changing economic climates, and helped steer Yreka Transfer toward long-term growth. Known for her sharp business sense, steady leadership, and practical approach to problem-solving, Sharon has been instrumental in shaping the company’s strategy and operations. Today, she continues to play a vital role in leading Yreka Transfer, ensuring that the family legacy of hard work, honesty, and community service remains at the heart of everything the business does.
Sharon’s husband, Glenn Rizzo, worked as both a driver and mechanic. In 1987, during one of Siskiyou County’s worst fire seasons, Glenn and Don Jones (Linda’s husband) serviced fire camps for 68 consecutive days which helped fund the construction of a new shop and the hiring of Yreka Transfer’s first full-time mechanic.
Embracing the Future: Recycling & the Third Generation
The third generation of the Crovelle family now leads Yreka Transfer. Sharon’s daughters, Laura and Karen, have been with the company since 1992.
Laura manages the residential and commercial trash services, oversees expanding drop-box operations, and serves customers at the front desk—building relationships across Siskiyou County.
Karen, along with her husband Neal Eller, has helped guide the company through a changing waste-management landscape. Neal is approaching 40 years with Yreka Transfer, spending most of his career on residential routes while also managing the shop and truck fleet.
In 1992, the company purchased the local recycling center, recognizing early that recycling would play a critical role in the future of waste services. In 2010, Yreka Transfer made a major investment by providing free blue recycling carts to customers within Yreka city limits.
Still Family-Owned. Still Community-Focused.
The Crovelle family has proudly owned and operated Yreka Transfer for more than half a century. Our greatest asset has always been our employees, whose dedication and hard work are the foundation of our success.
Today, Yreka Transfer employs 28 team members, more than half of whom have been with us for over 10 years. Ten of those employees have dedicated more than 20 years of service to the company. In addition, four generations of the Crovelle family are actively involved in day-to-day operations, and over 20 family members have contributed to the company throughout its history.
Yreka Transfer is truly a family-owned and operated business. As we look to the future, we remain committed to providing the same dependable service our customers have come to expect, while continuing to adapt and grow with industry advancements and technology. The past 100 years have been made possible by our hardworking employees and loyal customers, and we look forward to serving our community for many more generations to come.