While in 'Center'  it's a must, to visit our historic Shelby County Courthouse, just 3 blocks from  The Pine Colony Inn, Bed and Breakfast.  936-598-7700  

 

Center won an 1866 dispute over the location of the County seat,  but  Shelbyville, just 8 miles up the road, then acting seat, would not concede.  History tells of old Judge Parker, and  some Center folks stole the county records one stormy night.  The next morning, it took those in Shelbyville a while to cross the swollen river to ride horseback into Center.  When they arrived, they found the ol Judge sitting in the doorway of  a small log cabin courthouse, with a shotgun across his knees.  He was quoted as saying, "Men, court is in session."  Between 1866, and 1880, this log cabin courthouse was burned down, and all records lost.  It took about 4 years, but in 1885, the town opened the distinctive Shelby county Courthouse, which reflects the heritage of its architect, J.J.E. Gibson, an Irish immigrant descended from builders of cathedrals and castles.  An interesting touch in this courthouse, which is now a visitor's center, is a trap door behind the bench so the judge could make a hasty retreat if necessary.  Visitors can learn more about the country at the Shelby county Museum, where a timeline and period rooms interpret history from the days of Caddo Indians to Spanish explorers to pioneer settlers.