COUNTY ORGANIZED: 1836

COUNTY NAMED FOR:  Isaac Shelby, United States Revolutionary soldier from Tennessee.

COUNTY SEATS: Two - Shelbyville and Center

COUNTY SEAT NAMED FOR: It's location at the center of the county.

COURTHOUSES: Four - 183?, 1867, 1885, and 1992. The 1867 courthouse in Center, along with all county records, was destroyed by fire in 1882. A new courthouse, modeled on an Irish castle, was completed in 1885.

STANDING:  Two -

• 1885 courthouse in a picturesque Romanesque Revival style with turrets and a frame cupola.  In 1999, a restoration project of the 1885 courthouse, now used as a museum, was completed. However, the second floor court room is still used occasionally to accommodate larger crowds.  NOTE: This building is similar to the 1885 Panola County Courthouse in Carthage that is no longer standing. 
• 1992 renovated bank building of Modern style built of brick.