Here in St. Johnsbury, history runs deep—and April 29th marks a particularly fascinating moment in the story of our town.
Back on April 29, 1910, St. Johnsbury made Vermont history by hosting the first recorded airplane flight in the state. Taking place at the local fairgrounds, this early aviation milestone brought a sense of innovation and excitement to the Northeast Kingdom. Imagine the scene—residents gathering to witness something they had never seen before, as a fragile early aircraft lifted off the ground for the very first time in Vermont.
But the roots of St. Johnsbury go back even further. The town itself was officially organized in 1790, after being chartered in 1786 by Dr. Jonathan Arnold. From those early days, it steadily grew into one of the region’s most important economic centers.
By the 19th century, St. Johnsbury had become a thriving industrial hub, largely thanks to the success of the Fairbanks Scale Company. Known worldwide for its precision scales, the company helped put this small Vermont town on the global map and played a major role in shaping the local economy and community.
Today, while the industries and technologies may have changed, that same spirit of progress and innovation is still alive here. Whether it was launching the first flight in Vermont or building a world-renowned manufacturing legacy, St. Johnsbury has always been a place where big things happen.
And at St. Johnsbury CDJR, we’re proud to be part of that ongoing story—serving a community that’s been moving forward for over two centuries, just past the railroad tracks.
