NEWPORT-One of Cocke County's oldest businesses, Fisher Insurance Agency, reached another milestone recently when they celebrated the 85th anniversary of the firm's establishment.
On February 24, 1924, the late Charles D. Fisher issued an automobile insurance policy to Carl M. Babb to begin the business. Fisher was the son of Jessie Fisher, who moved to Cocke County from Pennsylvania in the early 1900s as general manager of A. C. Lawrence Leather Company.
After graduating from Central High School (now Cocke County High School), Fisher entered the University of Tennessee where the late Senator Estes Keefauver was a fraternity brother.
Upon returning to Newport, Fisher first went to work for his father, but later acted on a Knoxville friend's suggestion that he enter the insurance business.
He first sold policies from his automobile and his home and later opened his first office upstairs in the Allen building at the corner of McMahan Avenue and Main Street. As the business grew, the need for larger quarters prompted a move to the second floor of what is now Newport Federal Bank at the corner of Broadway and Mims Avenue.
In May, 1954, Fisher purchased a building at 110 Mims Avenue and moved the office to that address, which is now occupied by US Bank's ATM machine.
In 1970, Fisher purchased the old Bauman/Newport Hardware building at 315 East Main Street, a fire-damaged structure. After extensive remodeling, Fisher moved his business to this office where it remains today.
Upon Fisher's death in 1984, his office manager, the late Lois Reese, purchased the business and operated it until her death May 1, 2004. Today Reese's brother, C. D. Reese owns the business. Working with him are Cindy Hunt, Wendy Hogan, Nancy Martin, and Iva Lee Luttrell.
Fisher Insurance Agency is open Mondays-Fridays, closing at noon on Wednesdays. It