09/07/2026
Did You Know? 5 Facts About Shelby County History
• Barney Bright 🎨 Shelbyville-born sculptor Barney Bright (1927-1997) created iconic works across Kentucky, including the soldier statue at Veteran’s Memorial Park in downtown Shelbyville.
• Medal of Honor Heroes 🇺🇸 Shelby County was home to two Congressional Medal of Honor recipients: Brig. Gen. J. Franklin Bell and Civil War veteran Pvt. John Henry Callahan, honored for extraordinary bravery in service to their country.
• Cross Keys Inn 🐎 From 1800-1825, the Cross Keys Inn welcomed more than 10,000 travelers. Its name came from two brass keys crossed on a tree, guiding visitors to Adam Middleton’s roadside inn.
• George William Saffell 🤝 Educator, mortician, and community leader George William Saffell founded Saffell Funeral Home and dedicated his life to serving Shelby County through civic, faith, and fraternal organizations.
• Mary Underwood 🌟 A founding settler of Painted Stone Station, Mary Underwood became Shelby County’s first known female head of household, claiming and managing a 1,000-acre land grant while raising five children.
Thank you to the Shelby County Historical Society for the information and helping preserve our history!