Shelby Iron Works

The Quilting Party

The Quilting Party, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

Ladies of the community gather for a quilting party in long ago Shelby. The house in the background of this photo is the Shelby Iron Company Superintendent's house. It was constructed by slave labor in 1854. Unfortunately, the house burned in the early 1990's.
Though the slavery period at Shelby is not a proud part our history, it is, nonetheless, an important aspect of that history.
The iron company owned no slaves. However, the company did obtain their service from plantation owners in Alabama and surrounding states. At the height of Civil War production, hundreds of slaves worked at Shelby Iron.
Following the war, a large number of the now former slaves and their families chose to remain at Shelby Iron Works, as newly freedmen. Decendents of those families today still call Shelby, Alabama home and are active members and directors of the Historic Shelby Association.

Iron Works Festival to Feature Antique Tractors

Blue ribbon tractor, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

Historic Shelby member Tim Brasher and Andy Vansant, both of Shelby, took top honors for their restored Farmall at the Shelby County Fair, which is underway this week in Columbiana.
Tim and Andy's handiwork will be on display, along with many other antique tractors and engins, at our Shelby Iron Works Festival coming up on October 14 & 15. The tractor parade will be held about noon on Saturday the 14th.
A number of the tractors will be on display on Saturday only, but some will be at the festival on Sunday also.

Shelby Iron for the CSS Tennessee

Pierce's ship, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

This is a copy of a letter dated Dec. 25, 1862, Confederate States Naval Station, Selma.
"The following is an extract from a letter this day received from Hon. S.R. Mallory, Secretary of the Navy.
"I have this day requested the Shelby Iron Works to roll the iron for "Pierce's" vessel. And you will please see Mr. Jones, the President of the Company, and urge upon him the importance of rolling iron."
Your early attention to the above would greatly oblige this department, as the boat is now ready to receive her plating - and an early delivery of it would enable me to order her lanuched on the first sufficient rise of the river. I would like to confer with you at your earliest convenience, when you are in this city
Yours very respectfully
E. Farrand Comd. in Charge"

Joseph Pierce was Naval Constructor for the Mobile area and supervised the building of the CSS Tennessee. The ship was laid down in October of 1862, and was launched in February of 1863.
Though the name of the ship is not mentioned, other than as "Pierce's vessel", this letter is in all likelihood the order for Shelby Iron to plate the CSS Tennessee.

From Clothing to Hardware and More

Inside company store, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

Constructed during the rebuilding of 1868-1870, the large three story brick building, situated across from the New Dannemora Hotel, soon became the commissary to the community of Shelby.
The well stocked store offered everything from clothing, to hardware, to coffins.
This building contained, in addition to the store, iron company offices and a basement laboratory. A large warehouse was located behind the commissary building.
During the late 1800's and early 1900's Shelby was a booming town and saw the addition of a number of other stores offering a wide variety of goods and services.

Inside Shelby Iron Company Office

inside company office 1, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

Beginning in 1870, the office of Shelby Iron was located in the new commissary, or company store, as it was better known.

The Door to Shelby Iron

Commissary 2, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

The office of Shelby Iron Works was moved into the new commissary building upon completion in 1870. This photo shows the doorway leading to that office.
We have only three identities of those pictured here.
Top row, standing, far left is A. H. Averyt, Shelby Iron Superintendent in the early 1900's.
Middle row, seated, second from left is a Mr. Bowles.
Front row, seated, far right, is Shelby Iron Company Doctor Nelson.

The "Company Store"

Commissary 1, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

As part of the rebuilding of Shelby Iron Works which began in 1868, a new commissary soon took its place among the other substantial and impressive brick buildings. Upon its completion, the "company store" was opened not only to iron company employees and their families, but also to the entire community. This was done by the company to help relieve the destitute condition following the Civil War.
The commissary had a basement and adjacent warehouse. A portion of the warehouse can be seen on far right of the photo.
Standing in front are Shelby Iron employees who staffed the commissary.