Strawn & Co., Insurance, Establishes Legacy – Preserves McDonough's Historic Past

STRAWN & CO., INSURANCE

16 HAMPTON ST, MCDONOUGH, GA 30253 | (770) 637-5247 | INSURANCEMCDONOUGH.COM

Steps away from the McDonough Square, the historical significance of the house at 16 Hampton Street is a source of pride for the multi-generational business of Strawn & Co., Insurance. Sitting in the board room off the foyer in the original section of the restored home built in 1838, CEO Rusty Strawn recounts the house’s pivotal role in saving McDonough from being obliterated like other Georgian towns on Sherman’s March to the Sea near the end of the Civil War. “Sherman used this house as a medical unit for Union soldiers and agreed not to burn the town in exchange for the services of Dr. Lewis M. Tye, the home’s owner at the time.” As the story goes, Dr. Tye told General Sherman that he could work on his men but did not cut too good with smoke in his eyes. That only one McDonough building was burned is attributed largely to Dr. Tye.

The leadership team at Strawn & Co., Insurance (l. to r.) W. Norman Strawn, Founder (ret.), Rusty Strawn, CEO, Licensed Agent, and John Wadsworth, President & COO, Licensed Agent.

Strawn & Co. recognizes the Chamber’s support for local businesses at large, both members and non-members, which has kept revenue within Henry County.

Fast forward to 2020. Strawn & Co., Insurance is a mainstay of the thriving downtown McDonough business community and is one of South Atlanta’s oldest and largest independent insurance agencies. W. Norman Strawn, Sr. converted his garage into an office and established Strawn & Co. in 1972 when he was hired by Nationwide Insurance as an independent contractor. The next year, he moved the business into a house he bought on Lawrenceville Street where it flourished and grew to 7 employees until 2001 when it relocated to its current location on Hampton Street.

Founded in 1972, Strawn & Co., Insurance spans three generations (l. to r.) Beau Echols, founder W. Norman Strawn, Rusty Strawn, and Anna Strawn.

Today, the firm services families and businesses with a broad range of insurance options for all their needs from home and auto to life and commercial insurance. From its stately historical HQ in McDonough, Strawn & Co. operates with 33 employees and regional offices located in Locust Grove and Tyrone, Georgia, and plans to open another office in Warner Robbins, Georgia, later this year. From a small staff of two representing a single carrier, Strawn & Co., Insurance has grown to a highly automated center that represents many regional and national carriers.

Community Involvement

Strawn & Co. is heavily involved in the community. Employees are encouraged to extend the company’s support through participation in local organizations including the Rotary Club, the Lions, the Kiwanis Club, the Boy Scouts of America, local churches, A Friend’s House and numerous nonprofit organizations.

Chamber Involvement

Strawn & Co. recognizes the Chamber’s support for local businesses at large, both members and non-members, which has kept revenue within Henry County.

Rusty Strawn recommends other businesses to join the chamber as a way to network with other business owners, people of influence and key decision makers in Henry County.