As the minutes wind down on 2021 and preparations for 2022 are made, Shelby County and the City of Shelbyville are prepared for a milestone year.

Shelby County was officially recognized on Dec. 31, 1821, by Governor Jonathan Jennings.

Shelby County is now 200 years old and the City of Shelbyville will follow with the same historic birth date in 2022.

The county was first settled in 1818 by James Wilson and three of his sons. Wilson’s wife and six more children followed in January of 1819.

The Wilson family settled along the Blue River and eventually encouraged more people to follow suit.

On Oct. 2, 1820, the Brookeville Land Office opened and land in central Indiana was put up for sale. There were over 100 purchases in the first two months.

Within a year, Shelby County was officially created.

Bicentennial celebrations were planned but have been postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Local officials expect to have a celebration in 2022 for both Shelby County and Shelbyville.