Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, Shelby was established in 1841 as the seat of newly formed Cleveland County. Once a textile center surrounded by thousands of acres of cotton fields, Shelby is experiencing an exciting economic revival with a diversified mix of business and industry. The 1907 courthouse will be the center of a Southern music and heritage museum highlighting local musicians Earl Scruggs and Don Gibson. In Images of America: Shelby, U. L. Rusty Patterson and Barry Hambright have taken another look at Shelby, with special attention paid to the people who were responsible for the progress of the city; the many business, civic, religious, and social leaders within the community; the old Shelby public schools; and Shelby’s proud sports heritage.