*This story is part of WANE 15’s In Your Hometown series where we will be highlighting three local cities on-air and online. VAN WERT, Ohio (WANE) -- When driving through Van Wert along U.S. 127, a large building off the road near the city's southern edge may stand out. While the structure may look like it belongs to a museum or a tenured university, the building actually belongs to an insurance company with nearly 150 years of history in Van Wert. Central Insurance -- which also has regional offices in Atlanta, Boston and Dallas -- is headquartered in Van Wert and has been since the company's inception in 1876. Originally founded as the Van Wert County Mutual Fire Insurance Company, Central Insurance quickly grew and accumulated more than $500,000 in total assets by the company's 25th anniversary in 1901. According to Central Insurance, many of the businesses in Van Wert during the 1880s relied on the company for insurance. An aerial shot of Central Insurance's Van Wert headquarters (Photo provided by Central Insurance)An aerial shot of Central Insurance's Van Wert headquarters (Photo provided by Central Insurance)An interior shot of Central Insurance's Van Wert headquarters (Photo provided by Central Insurance)An interior shot of Central Insurance's Van Wert headquarters (Photo provided by Central Insurance) Central Insurance moved to its current location at 800 S. Washington St. in 1931 and has renovated and added to the building several times since. Today, Central Insurance is comprised of two companies -- Central Mutual Insurance Company and All America Insurance Company -- and has combined assets totaling more than $2 billion. Of the company's 770 employees, 370 work in Van Wert. The company's Van Wert headquarters also pays homage to its roots in fire insurance with a fire museum that features pieces dating back to the 1700s. Guests can tour the fire museum by scheduling an appointment in advance. Exhibits of old firefighter helmets on display at Central Insurance's fire museum in Van Wert, Ohio (Photo provided by Central Insurance) From partnering with several organizations to launching a scholarship program for local college students, Central Insurance has also worked to work with and give back to the community. Van Wert community celebrates return of historic downtown clock In one such partnership with Van Wert Forward, Central Insurance invested $17 million in a multi-phase project that aims to bring in new businesses, preserve local history and provide affordable housing. “Central was founded in Van Wert nearly 150 years ago—and this is where we’ll be 150 years from now,” Central Insurance Chairman, President and CEO Evan Purmort said in 2022. “This is our home, and we’re committed to making Van Wert better and better for the people who live and work here." More about the history of Central Insurance and what the company offers can be found online.