Reynolds Insurance Agency Celebrates 80th Anniversary
On August 9th, 1946, Hardin Reynolds established Reynolds Insurance Agency in Sanish, North Dakota. In the beginning, Hardin sold Farmers Union Insurance out of his home with only a notebook he kept in his breast pocket of his shirt.
Ever since the start of Reynolds Insurance, clients have been made the priority. Hardin would regularly stop by client’s homes to go over their policies.
In 1956, Reynolds Insurance moved into the New Town Farmers Union Oil Station. Hardin began strengthening relationships with not just clients, but clients who he called his friends. Later, in 1966, Hardin constructed the current New Town Reynolds Insurance Agency office building.
“Never sell a policy based on what the agency earns, sell policies based on the needs of the client,” Hardin said. These values continue within the agency to this day.
In 1977, Hardin’s son, Kenneth Reynolds, joined the agency as the business continued to expand. Before his time with the agency, Ken spent eleven years with the Agricultural Stabilization and Conservation Service (now known as FSA). Ken was a beloved agent in western North Dakota and touched many families with his willingness to help others.
Ken continued to build Reynolds Insurance with strong, reliable values until his retirement in 2003. “Back then we were all just friends taking care of each other,” Ken said.
In 1991, Ken’s son, Craig Reynolds, joined the agency to open a second location in Stanley, North Dakota, becoming the third generation to become a licensed insurance agent in the Reynolds family.
Reynolds Insurance was affiliated with Farmers Union Insurance until 1995 when the agency became an independent Insurance Agency.
On January 1, 2003, Craig assumed full leadership and management responsibility of Reynolds Insurance. With this transition, Ken slowly transitioned out of the main operations of the agency and discontinued his agent license in 2016 at the age of 75.
The office went through multiple renovations throughout the years, but most recently in the summer of 2013 when a total renovation was completed at the existing New Town Reynolds Insurance office building.
The agency currently represents several insurance companies to better service their clients. Reynolds Insurance believes that no family is the same and should always have personalized coverage tailored to individual’s needs.
Currently, Reynolds Insurance Agency has expanded to sell most lines of insurance including farm, farm auto, livestock, crop, hail, home, auto, umbrella, commercial, life and health. Regular trips continue to be made priority to the Plaza and Parshall areas. Reynolds Insurance is now operated by Craig Reynolds and an excellent team of licensed insurance agents.
This year, the agency will be recognizing this tremendous accomplishment with an 80th Anniversary celebration on Monday, July 27, 2026, from 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the New Town office at 301 Main Street. The agency invites everyone to come and celebrate.