Shelby is a city in Richland County, Ohio, United States. Located northwest of the city of Mansfield, it is part of the Mansfield metropolitan area. The population was 9,282 at the 2020 census.
At a Glance
- County: Richland County
- State: Ohio
History of Shelby
Shelby was originally called Gamble’s Mills, and under the latter name was platted in 1834.
On April 14, 2019, Shelby was struck by a long tracked EF2 Tornado with winds of 120 to 125 MPH. At its peak, the tornado was a half mile wide. The tornado damaged more than half a dozen homes, as well as a car dealership on the south of side of Shelby.
Shelby has undertaken a multi phase downtown revitalization effort aimed at improving walkability, public gathering spaces, economic activity, and long term historic preservation.
Phase I, completed as part of the community’s revitalization and placemaking plan, focused on a comprehensive streetscape improvement along Main Street. The project introduced new sidewalks, street trees, landscaped planters, decorative lighting, benches, improved pedestrian crossings, and upgraded infrastructure designed to enhance safety and support increased foot traffic in the business district.
Phase II involved the construction of Black Fork Commons Plaza, a central public space intended to anchor community events and serve as a year round gathering point. The plaza includes a programmable splash fountain, café style seating, shade structures, a seasonal fireplace, and a flexible pavilion space. Since opening, it has been used for festivals, concerts, markets, holiday programming, and civic events, becoming a focal point of downtown activity.
Text adapted from the Wikipedia article Shelby, Ohio, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license.