Shelby tourist information
The town of Shelby was Named for the county, which was named for Revolutionary War Gen. Isaac Shelby. The City was founded as a railroad town in 1870 and soon became a bustling community in the fertile farmland between the Nishnabotna River and Mosquito Creek. The Rock Island Railroad left the town in the 50's and 60's when it constructed a short-cut from Council Bluffs and Atlantic that saved 17 miles of winding route. Part of that route has been converted to a nature trail, crossing over Stone Arch, a landmark just east of Shelby.
In the 1970's a new transportation link was built that has been a key factor in the economic health and well-being of the community. Interstate 80 that connects both coasts of the United States passes right by Shelby and is a vital connection to the nation.
In recent years, Shelby has become a host to visitors from all over the world. Several landmarks give the community a distinctive character such as: a 76-foot tall Agricultural Symbol, a tribute to agriculture, is located in a park featuring prairie grass and wildflowers. The park has become a favorite rest stop of travelers. Downtown, an Antique Coke sign restored in 1986 from original 1932 vintage adorns the side of a local business. Shelby is the boyhood home of Clyde Williams, an All American athlete. Nearby you can visit Carsten's Farm, a demonstration farm of 1880's era. Shelby has become the Purple Martin Capital of Iowa in an effort to use ecologically sound ways to control mosquitoes. Over fifty martin houses in the community establish this title.
by Shelby Iowa
Shelby was named after Peter P. Shelby, general manager of the Montana-Central Railroad. In 1891 the Great Northern was making its way to Marias Pass; the builders threw a box car from the train and called it a station. Shelby himself is believed to have said that Shelby wouldn’t amount to much. He was wrong; Shelby grew into a distribution for a trade center for 50 miles in every direction.
In the late 1890s the town was a cowboy town with hardly any fences or homesteaders. By 1913 there were 5,000 entries for land in just one office. Homesteaders flooded into the area. The homesteaders suffered droughts and became very desperate. By the 1920s there was an exodus of homesteaders. In 1921 Gordon Campbell, a geologist, found oil that stretched all the way to the Canadian border. New life came to Shelby. Shelby is historically significant for the Dempsey-Gibbons World Heavyweight Championship prizefight held there on July 4, 1923. An excellent Indian artifact collection is on display at the Toole County Library.
The Marias River, named after Meriwether Lewis’ cousin, winds its way through town, past the Marias Valley Golf Course and Country Club as well as Williamson Park, where camping and outdoor recreation can be found. While in town, visit the Marias Museum of History and Art for a look at area history, homesteading, a dinosaur collection and more. Nearby, the Sweet Grass Hills offer hiking and wildlife viewing, although they are almost exclusively on private property (434-7184). Deer, antelope, elk, foxes, golden eagles, grouse and the unique “sweet grass” can be seen in these hills. North of town, Lake Shel-oole offers camping and outdoor recreation (434-7184).
The City of Shelby is located in the southwest central section of North Carolina, approximately 40 miles west of Charlotte. The City was incorporated in 1843 and is the county seat of Cleveland County. Shelby has a population of approximately 20,000 and presently covers a land area of 14 square miles.
The City provides a wide range of services for its citizens, including public safety, planning and zoning, sanitation, street maintenance, airport operations, cultural and recreational activities, general administration, community development and housing. In addition to these general government activities, the City provides and maintains water, sewer, electrical, and natural gas utilities for the benefit of its citizens. The City also extends financial support to certain boards, agencies and commissions to assist their efforts in serving citizens. Among these are the Cleveland County Arts Council, Council on Aging, Cleveland County Library, Chamber of Commerce and the Uptown Shelby Association.
Shelby aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Shelby aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Shelby.
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