A brief history of Shelby County, Kentucky

Shelby County, Kentucky’s twelfth county, was created from Jefferson County on June 28, 1792 with Shelbyville as the county seat.  Named for Kentucky’s first governor, Isaac Shelby, Shelby County covers 383 square miles and by 1800 its population exceeded 8100 individuals.

Prior to the Civil War, agriculture and livestock were the foundation of Shelby County’s economy.  In 1850 the first railroad line passed through the county connecting Frankfort with Louisville.  In 1870 the Shelby Railroad Company constructed a line that connected Shelbyville to Anchorage, Kentucky.  Railroads created improved access to regional and national markets for local farmers.  With greater prosperity commercial and residential development followed.  Corn was the most important cash crop in the period of 1870 to 1900; followed by hemp, tobacco and wheat.  In 1870 Shelby County was the top hog producer in the state and was fifth highest for beef cattle.

At the beginning of the twentieth century economic growth slowed following a national trend.  After World War II, however, economic growth was spurred by greater tobacco production and the establishment of an industrial base.  The Shelby County Industrial and Development Foundation was formed in 1957 and in 1961 Shelbyville was linked to Louisville by Interstate 64.

Today, Shelby County continues to be an agricultural leader in corn, wheat and livestock.  It is home to sixty-four manufacturing facilities and the Shelby County Chamber of Commerce has 385 members.  In 2005 Shelby County was proclaimed the Saddlebred Horse Capital of the World.