Shelby County, Kentucky

Allen Dale Farm Allen, J. B., House Ballard, William H., House Bank of Simpsonville Basket Farm Bayne House Bethel AME Church Bethel Church Bird Octagonal Mule Barn Bird's Nest Bird, Philomen, House Blades, William, House Bland Farm Blaydes House Booker, Samuel, House Booker-Giltner House Brown, Cameron, Farm Brown, John C., House Bryan House Buck Creek Rosenwald School Building at Jct. of KY 395 and 1779 Burton House Burton, David, House Caldwell House Calloway House Carnegie Public Library Carpenter House Carriss's Feed Store Carriss's Store Chiles-Bailey House Church of the Annunciation Clay, Henry, School Coca-Cola Plant Collins House Courtney House Crockett, John Edward, House Cross Keys Tavern Kitchen and Quarters Dale, John, House Davis, E. M., Farm Dependency on Mulberry Creek Duvall, Marene, House East Shelbyville District Ellis, Samuel, House Figg, Bushrod, House Fry, Froman, Farm Fry, L. C., Farm Frye, C. E., Farm Fullenwider House Fullenwielder, Peter, House Glass, S. D., House Goodman, J. W., House Graham House Grasslands Gray House Grove Hill Cemetery Chapel Hansbrough, John G. and William, House Harbison House Harbison House Hedden House Helmwood Hall Hinton-Scearce House Hornsby Bridge Hornsby, John A., House Hornsby, John A., House (Boundary Increase) Huss, M. W., House Jackson, Eli, House Johnston House King, M. J., House Knight-Stout House Lincoln Institute Complex Logan House Long, D. T., House Martin House McMicken House Middleton, Henri, House Money Farm Montgomery House Morris, Dr. William, Office and House Moxley Farm Muir House Nash, Dr., House Neal-Hamblen House Newton House Old Stone Inn Olive Branch Methodist Episcopal Church Owen, Brackett, House Payne House Pemberton Farm Pickett, James A., House Pugh House Radcliffe-Duvall Farm Ramsey House Redmon House Rice House Robertson House Rodgers House Royalty-Smith Farm Saffell Funeral Home Salem Baptist Church Scearce-Roush House Science Hill School Seventh Street Historic District Shady Rest Shelby Academy Shelby County Courthouse and Main Street Commercial District Shelby County Courthouse and Main Street Commercial District (Boundary Increase) Shelbyville L & N Railroad Depot Shropshire Farm Simpsonville Christian Church Simpsonville Methodist Church Sleadd, William, Farm Snook House Snook, Van B., House St. John United Methodist Church Stapleton Farm Stewart, G. W., House Stone House on Clear Creek Sturgeon-Gregg House Swindler House Tevis Cottage Thomas House Thomas, William J., House Threlkeld, Thomas, House Tindall House Todd, Charles and Letitia Shelby, House Undulata Vanatta House Venable-Chase House Waddy Bank Building Waddy Historic District Ware, Charles, House Ware, Shelby D., House Washburn, Benjamin, House Weakley, Thomas, House Weissinger Mule Barn West Shelbyville District White House Wickland Wise House Wright House Young, Whitney M., Jr., Birthplace

Shelby County, Kentucky has a rich and storied history dating back centuries. The area was initially home to indigenous tribes, including the Shawnee and Chickasaw nations. European settlement began in the late 1700s with the arrival of pioneers who established farms and small communities.

One of the key figures in Shelby County's early history was Colonel William Shannon, who settled in the area in 1775. Shannon played a crucial role in the American Revolutionary War and later served as a representative in the Kentucky General Assembly. His influence helped shape the development of the county.

In the early 1800s, the city of Shelbyville, named after Isaac Shelby, the first Governor of Kentucky, was founded as the county seat. Shelbyville quickly grew into a bustling hub of business, agriculture, and commerce. The Shelbyville Historic District, featuring numerous well-preserved 19th-century buildings, stands as a testament to the city's past.

Over the years, Shelby County developed a reputation as a significant agricultural center. The fertile land provided ideal conditions for farming, particularly for tobacco and thoroughbred horse breeding. The county's agricultural heritage is celebrated annually at events like the Shelby County Fair and the Shelbyville Horse Show, both of which attract visitors and locals alike.

Today, Shelby County is a thriving community that embraces its history while also looking to the future. The area's rich heritage, diverse economy, and close-knit community continue to make it an attractive place to live, work, and explore for residents and visitors alike.
Brief timeline of the history of Shelby County, Kentucky:

  • 1776: Shelby County, KY was established on June 19, 1776.
  • 1780: The county was named after Isaac Shelby, a Revolutionary War hero and later the first governor of Kentucky.
  • 1792: Kentucky becomes the 15th state admitted to the Union, with Shelby County as one of its original counties.
  • 1803: The town of Shelbyville is established as the county seat.
  • 1812: Shelby County sends soldiers to fight in the War of 1812.
  • 1837: The Louisville and Shelbyville Turnpike is completed, improving transportation and commerce in the county.
  • 1846: Sentiment in Shelby County towards slavery divides the community during the abolitionist movement.
  • 1861-1865: Many residents of Shelby County fight in the American Civil War on both sides.
  • 1873: Shelby County Agricultural and Mechanical Society holds its first fair, becoming an annual tradition.
  • 1895: The Shelby County Courthouse, a Romanesque Revival-style building, is completed and still stands today.
  • 20th century: Shelby County experiences periods of agricultural growth and economic development, along with the challenges faced by rural communities.
  • 2000s: Shelby County continues to grow and develop, balancing its agricultural heritage with modern industries and amenities.

This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Shelby County, Kentucky.