First County Seat of Shelby County

The seat left Shelbyville in 1866. The Republic's Congress had renamed Nashville for Isaac Shelby in 1837, and a post office was running by 1843. A county election in January 1866 named Center the new seat, but many disputed the result and nothing happened for months. In August 1866 some Center residents took the county records from Shelbyville and carried them off, which settled it. The Handbook of Texas says they went at night and were hidden. By 1884 Shelbyville had about 150 people, a church, a school, a mill and two gins.

What the plaque says

First County Seat of Shelby County Shelbyville, once known as Nashville, was the first county seat of government of the District of Tenaha, or Shelby County. The first courthouse stood on this site. The settlement began before 1825. It became headquarters for the "Regulator-Moderator War"; troops were raised here to fight the Indians; for the Texas army; and Confederate forces were organized here. (1964)

Where it stands

More markers nearby

• Sydney O. Pennington — steps away
• Shelby County — 0.7 mi
• Site of the Last Battle — 0.8 mi
• The First Battle — 2.8 mi