Shelby Iron Works

Shelby's L&N Depot in 1946

Depot side shot 1946, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

Above is a shot from the tracks of the depot in Shelby as it appeared in 1946. Although Shelby Iron ceased manufacturing operations in 1923, the company remained in business well into the mid 20th century. The depot remained a thriving and important location for Shelby residents. In 1946, the post office  still occupied the original 1870 building located less than100 yards from the depot, Mail coming in on the train would be loaded onto carts and pulled to the nearby building. Shelby residents would gather daily to "meet the train" for mail, freight, and, of course, to see who was entering or departing town on one of the passenger trains.

Ridin' the Rails in Shelby

Motor Car at Shelby Iron, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

Gary Garner pilots the motor car over the rails during the Shelby Iron Works Festival. Once known as the "Alabama Mineral Line", a rail connection between Calera and Blue Mountain, then back west to Birmingham, was a busy freight and passenger corridor. The section of track shown here has been re-established by the Heart of Dixie Railroad Museum (Calera & Shelby Rail Road), as a part of the eventual return of the trains to Shelby.

Music in the Park

Shelby Iron Music, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

Mike Nicholas & company once again came through for Shelby Iron by providing two days of great muaic during festival. Mike is shown here at the microphone on our bandstand, along with Cecilia Perkins at the keyboard.

Revolutionary Shelby Iron

Shelby Iron Revolutionary, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

Also participating in this year's festival were reenactors from the American Village near Montevello. We appreciate the Revolutionary War era representation in Shelby.

Shelby Iron Quilters

SI Quilting, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

A window to the past is what it's all about at Shelby Iron. Visitors to the festival could see quilters demonstrating the old time art of hand quilting. More festival photos will be added over the next few days.

Woodcarving at Shelby

Shelby Iron Woodcarving, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

Near perfect weather, good crowds, and lots of fun marked this year's Shelby Iron Works Festival. In this photo a woodcarver demonstrates his craft. See other festival photos below or click on "Shelby Iron Works Festival" under "Catagories" in the column on the right side of this page.

Living History at Shelby Iron Works

33rd Ala. 2, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

The 33rd Alabama Infantry encamped at Shelby Iron throughout festival weekend. The re-enactment group provided historically accurate demonstrations of camp life as experienced during the civil war.

Antique Tractors at Shelby Iron

Tractors at Shelby Iron, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

October 13 & 14, 2007, marked the 19th installment of our annual Shelby Iron Works Frstival. In this photo, the tractor parade winds its way through the Park.

Syrup Making Time in Shelby

sorghum 2007, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

Historic Shelby members Harry Burks, Tom Trimble, Hubert Joiner, John Perkins, and Willie Cook unload the sorghum cane in perparation for Shelby Iron Works Festival. Not shown in photo are Greg Cohill, John Brasher. The syrup crew spent Wednesday, Oct. 10, in the cane field, stripping, cutting, and loading this year's crop of sorghum to feed the syrup mill. This year we will be making both surghum and sugar cane syrup during the two day annual event. The sugar cane will be hauled to the mill on Friday, the day before the festival. Shown in the background of this photo is the "sugar house" where our evaporator pan and canning room are located.

Homestead House at Shelby Open During Festival

Homestead House, originally uploaded by JB @ Shelby Iron.

In conjunction with Shelby Iron Works Festival, Homestead House will be open for tours again October 13 & 14, 2007. Owner, and Historic Shelby Association member Fay Porter will be on hand to welcome visitors to the early 1800's structure. Constructed as a one room log cabin, the current frame addition was added in the 1830's. Parts of the original log structure and early timber frameing can be seen in one section of the house. Bricks used as supports for the porch and for steps were made on the property. Bricks for Shelby Iron Works were also produced here.
Further information about Homestead House tours will be available in the eshibits building at Shelby Iron Works Park.