St. Louis’ Charles L. Crane Agency Celebrates 125 Years

The Charles L. Crane Agency Co., St. Louis, Mo.’s oldest independent insurance agency and the oldest independent insurance agency west of the Mississippi, commemorates its 125th anniversary on Oct. 7 with the unveiling of a large-scale, three-paneled pyrography and acrylic art piece created by St. Louis artist William Burton, Jr.

St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley and a representative from the City of St. Louis Mayor’s Office will dedicate the art work along with Michael Reedy, president of the Charles L. Crane Agency Co., and the Crane shareholders during a private reception. The commemorative pyrography, the art of decorating wood with burn marks and scorch designs, depicts elements of people and local landmarks that reflect the intertwined growth of Crane and St. Louis City and County over the past 125 years.

Since its founding in 1885, Crane has maintained a diverse and robust customer base, supplying innovative insurance products and risk management services to the manufacturing, construction, healthcare and restaurant industries of Missouri and Southern Illinois. The company has grown from a few employees in the late 19th century to its current staff of 240. Crane has tripled in the past 13 years from $90 million in 1997 to more than $300 million premium volume in 2010.

Crane has represented eight insurance companies for more than 75 years, including the Hartford Insurance Group since 1900, Travelers Insurance Cos. since 1927 and Fireman’s Fund Insurance Cos. since 1912. It currently represents most major insurance carriers in the United States and has achieved the highest level of designation with each of its major carriers.

Crane is proud of its local heritage. Even though Crane has grown to four offices from one with locations in Chesterfield and Springfield, Mo., and Fairview Heights, Ill., the company has purposely maintained its headquarters in downtown St. Louis since its founding.

Source: Charles L. Crane Agency