History

A Foundation to Grow On

The early 1800's saw the settlement of four families on the land now known as Shelby. The early homes were log cabins with rough, crude furniture made from the available wood.

In1823, James Gamble built the first industrial site in the region, a gristmill that ground corn. The settlement was originally known as Gamble's Mill (as noted in the 1827 official Post Office guide).In 1824, the first sawmill was built by Eli Wilson and the first road to Mansfield was cut through the thick woods the following year.

In 1836, the name of the village was officially changed from Gamble's Mill to Shelby in honor of General Isaac Shelby who served with distinction in the Revolutionary War and was later elected the first governor of Kentucky.

Shelby…

…the birthplace of the seamless steel tubing industry in America! (1890)
…home of the Shelby Bicycle Company.
…where bubble gum was invented.

Much of the history of Shelby is preserved in the Shelby Museum of History located at 23 East Main Street behind the Shelby Municipal Utilities office. The museum houses a collection of artifacts and memorabilia from the businesses and people of Shelby. Across the street, in Central Park, is a log cabin discovered and donated to the city by Dr. Paul Martin.

 

 

Today

A Great Place to Grow
   

A city of just under 10,000, Shelby offers a quality of life that has great appeal. With a quaint and traditional downtown business district and century-old boulevard homes, Shelby has preserved the era of our past. Modern department stores, supermarkets, and new housing developments keep us up with the times for an attractive mixture of the old and the new.

Shelby is an ideal, safe community in which to raise a family. Shelby City Schools have an excellent reputation as one of the best school systems in the state. Beautiful parks feature playgrounds, a playscape built by community volunteers, ball fields, a swimming pool, and covered picnic areas.
Marvin Memorial Library has served the literary needs of our community since 1897. MedCentral Shelby Hospital opened its doors in 1921 and continues to meet the healthcare needs of Shelby and surrounding communities. The Shelby YMCA Community Center is an asset unique to a community of our size. Shelby Country Club has an 18-hole, par 72 golf course, 45' swimming pool, and clubhouse dining room available to members and guests.

The musical talents of the Shelby Whippet Band are enjoyed at many community events and the Shelby Community Concert Series provides the opportunity to enjoy the performing arts in a small town setting. The Shelby community fully supports the school athletic programs and Whippet pride is a part of our culture.
 
 
Future

Continuing to Grow 		 

 

Shelby has always faced the future with great anticipation. Over the years, the business diversity of Shelby has changed, but Shelby was always ready for the possibilities created by those changes.


The presence of North Central State College's Advanced Technology Center in Shelby opens the door to endless growth opportunities. With downtown enhancement taking place, the city will look its best to attract new businesses.

A labor-friendly community, Shelby offers enticing tax abatement opportunities to assist businesses with their growth. Shelby owns its own utilities which allows the city to provide residents, businesses, and industries with low cost yet efficient electric, water, and sewage services.

Way back in 1823, Mr. Gamble had a vision of a successful community. Over the years, many changes have taken place and many great people have dedicated their time, talents, and resources to help make Shelby that successful community. The many benefits enjoyed by us today are the results of our forefathers' visions and efforts. They made Shelby what it is today. Now it's our turn to keep the vision going and growing. That's what makes Shelby
...A Great Place to Grow!