Dear Friends:

Welcome to the Internet tour of Shelby, North Carolina. This charming southern city is blessed with a rich history, wonderful resources and boundless opportunities of the future. If you are considering travel, business or relocation, we hope that you will consider Shelby.

Shelby is the county seat of Cleveland County in the southern foothills of North Carolina. We are only 40 miles west of Charlotte, 70 miles east of Asheville and we are just up the road from Greenville and Spartansburg, South Carolina. With this position, we enjoy the benefits of nearby urban areas, but retain our small-town atmosphere. This special, small-town atmosphere earned Shelby the title of "All-American City" in the 1970s, and then in 1980 the National Trust for Historic Preservation acknowledged Shelby's special attributes, naming it as one of North Carolina's original National Main Street cities. As those awards note, Shelby is indeed a lovely city with rich history and Southern charm combined with bright possibilities for the future.

Through the years, Shelby has been home to many notable figures. Governors O. Max Gardner and Clyde Hoey, along with other Shelby residents formed the "Shelby Dynasty," a powerhouse of state and national politicians from Shelby. Furthermore, Earl Scruggs, Don Gibson, Alicia Bridges, Floyd Patterson and many others have called Shelby and Cleveland County home. Along with these and other notable figures of history, Shelby boasts historic architecture in its Central Shelby Historic District and the East Marion--Belvedere Park Historic District, both listed in the National Register of Historic Places.

Uptown Shelby is centered around the Court Square, and offers something for everyone. Strolling around the tree-lined streets you can find fine restaurants, boutiques and galleries, along with banks and offices. If it is fresh produce you are looking for, we have a farmers market, open Tuesday to Saturday all year long.

During spring and summer you can find regular entertainment from the "Alive After Five" block-party concerts, put on by the Uptown Shelby Association. During Christmas Shelby is a winter wonderland with horse and carriage rides, a Victorian cottage with St. Nick and thousands of Christmas lights to make the season bright--the Court Square seems like a setting for a Norman Rockwell painting. Also, there are many other events throughout the year from the Uptown Shelby Association, Cleveland County Arts Council and other local organizations. If it is outdoor activity you are looking for, you might consider South Mountain State Park, Kings Mountain State and National Military Parks or Crowder's Mountain State Park, all of which are within a short drive from Shelby.

The Cleveland Community College, nearby Gardner-Webb University and Ambassador Baptist College offer educational opportunities that bring bright students from across the region as well as offering education to local residents. The Cleveland Regional Medical Center offers quality healthcare. Other quality health service providers include Cleveland Regional Rehab and the Shelby Senior Center.

With so many possibilities and opportunities, Shelby offers something for everyone. As you continue your virtual tour of Uptown Shelby, please consider making Shelby your destination for travel, business or relocation. Come and see why we are called "The City of Pleasant Living."

Sincerely,

W. Ted Alexander
Mayor