Our History

Rich History & Deep Roots

It has been our privilege to serve our community for more than 110 years, and we look forward to another century of success. We’re native Nevadans and proud to have contributed to the building of our great state. 

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A Brief Historical Timeline

1909

Peter Buol opens Peter Buol’s Real Estate & Insurance Company.

1910

Peter Buol is elected Mayor of a steadily growing Las Vegas. To help run his insurance business while he dedicated himself to the job of Mayor, Buol hires William Pike.

1916

William Pike is looking for a partner and approaches a new Las Vegas resident, Ernie Cragin. They soon join together to form Cragin & Pike. When Peter Buol decided to leave Las Vegas, Cragin & Pike took 100 % ownership of Buol’s insurance agency.

1924

Cragin & Pike Insurance Agency becomes a member of the newly-formed Las Vegas Chamber of Commerce. The company is the oldest continuous member of the organization.

1929

As Cragin & Pike turned 20 years old, the population of Las Vegas reached 5,000. Las Vegas continued to grow despite the start of the Great Depression that same year.

1931

Nevada legalized gambling on St. Patrick’s Day. Cragin & Pike insured the town’s first gaming establishments. 

1939

Ernie Cragin was elected Mayor of Las Vegas. He served three terms. As World War II raged on, Ernie helped secure the ‘Aerial Gunnery School’ for the valley. It is now known as Nellis Air Force Base.

1946

On December 26th, Benjamin “Bugsy” Siegel officially opened the Flamingo Hotel and Casino on what is now the Las Vegas Strip. Cragin & Pike insured the casino and hotel… but not Bugsy. 

1949

As Cragin & Pike turned 40, William Pike passed away after a long illness. Ernie Cragin brought in Paul McDermott as a partner.

1956

Ernie and Paul added Frank Kerestesi as a new partner and the company held its first of its now infamous Christmas parties.

1959

As Cragin & Pike prepared to celebrate their 50th anniversary in Las Vegas, Ernie Cragin died suddenly. The partners moved into new offices at 320 South 3rd Street and decided to retain the name Cragin & Pike Insurance.

1967

Cragin & Pike incorporated.

1973

Paul McDermott passed away after a long battle with cancer. Frank Kerestesi was named President of Cragin & Pike.

1974

MGM Grand opened as the largest hotel in Las Vegas. Following in the footsteps of his father, Tom Kerestesi joined Cragin & Pike as a consultant.

1975

Jim Burns joined Cragin & Pike as an Office Manager.

1979

The company celebrated its 70th Anniversary. Frank Kerestesi welcomed Mark McKinley to Cragin & Pike. 

1982 – 1984

Cragin & Pike paid its most unusual automobile comprehensive claim when Frank “Lefty” Rosenthal’s Cadillac exploded outside Tony Roma’s Restaurant on East Sahara. Greg McKinley joined Cragin & Pike.

1989

As the company turned 80, principals of Cragin & Pike grabbed shovels and broke ground for new offices at 2603 West Charleston Boulevard, their current location. Las Vegas continued its explosive growth with the opening of the Mirage and Excalibur Hotels. 

1990

The UNLV Runnin’ Rebels won the NCAA National Basketball Championship. Tom Kerestesi was named President of Cragin & Pike. Tom Burns, son of Jim Burns, joined the company and Greg McKinley became a shareholder in Cragin & Pike. 

1999 – 2000

At 90 years-old, Cragin & Pike was honored as the second oldest company doing business in Las Vegas. Senator Richard Bryan made a presentation honoring the company into the Congressional Record. Tom Burns became the fourth shareholder at Cragin & Pike. Cragin & Pike added the Risk Management Department to the company. 

2005

Cragin & Pike expanded the West Charleston office to accommodate a bigger team and their tremendous growth in business.

2009

Cragin & Pike celebrated 100 years of doing business in Las Vegas.

2010

Cragin & Pike started their Employee Benefits Department and brought on Chris Campbell to oversee the department.  

2017

Cragin & Pike started their Private Client Group and brought on Janice Fleming to oversee the department.

2018

Todd Morse became a shareholder in Cragin & Pike.