| Long Description | <DIV class="cityaspfont"><ul class= "fotocolumn"><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Shelby_visitor_information.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Historic Town Hall and Visitor Center</p><p><p class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Shelby Visitor Information Center</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Shelby_mainstreet.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Downtown</p><p class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: D&L Photography</p></li><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Shelby_checkerboad_fields.JPG" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">Checkerboard Fields</p><p><p class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: Dean Hellinger</p><li class="brewfoto"><IMG SRC="/Pictures/Cities/Shelby_River_Steam.jpg" BORDER=0 WIDTH=222 HEIGHT=140 ALIGN=BASELINE><p class="fotocap">River Steam</p><p><p class="fotocred">Photo courtesy: D&L Photography</p></li></ul>
<p>Shelby located at the crossroads of Interstate 15 and US Highway #2 is a vibrant town on the "Montana HiLine." It boasts of its unique picturesque Main Street with several blocks of locally owned businesses offering gifts, local art, clothing, quilting fabric, Made in Montana souvenirs, restaurants, and taverns. With several established camping/RV facilities and motels, Shelby is a wonderful overnight stay just one short hour from your Glacier Park adventure.</p><p>With its start as a railroad station in 1891, Shelby moved into the 1890s as a "cowboy town" with hardly any homesteaders. By 1913 Shelby had over 5000 homesteader entries in just one office but in 1920 there was a great exodus of homesteaders due to drought. In 1921 it became a boom town with the discovery of one of the richest oilfields in the United States that stretched from Shelby north to the Canadian border. Shelby is historically significant for the 1923 World Heavyweight Championship Fight dubbed "The Fight That Won't Stay Dead!" which is often hailed as boxing's most historical event. It began as a real estate stunt and ended in a spectacular fiasco. The 40,000 seat arena that was built in less than 6 weeks held a mere 8000 ticket holders before 4000 ranchers and farmers stormed the gates prior to the opening bell! What a fight they witnessed! The brawl between Jack Dempsey and Tommy Gibbons was the only championship fight that Dempsey fought all 15 rounds to win! Shelby is working diligently to create Champions Park, an outdoor museum at the original ring site commemorating the July 4th, 1923 event. </p><p>Shelby's beautiful backdrop is the Sweet Grass Hills which provide some excellent hiking and breathtaking views. Elk reside in the Sweet Grass Hills, while Whitetails and Mule Deer roam the prairies along with Pronghorn antelope. Sharptail Grouse, Hungarian Partridge and Chinese ring neck Pheasants afford the wing shooter boundless sporting opportunities. The sunsets west of Shelby offer a spectacular sight of the wind turbines which is Shelby's latest economic boom. </p><p>While in the area, enjoy the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=3118&siteid=1">Marias Museum of History & Art</a>, the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=17138&siteid=1">Roadrunner Recreational Trail</a>, and the <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?IDRRecordID=580&siteid=1">Marias Valley Golf Course</a>. Shelby offers an extraordinary outdoor experience. Anglers love the area for our Walleye, Northern Pike and Perch. Casting on the upper <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=11083">Marias River</a> is fun and both open water and ice fishing are popular at <a href="/categories/moreinfo.asp?SiteID=1&IDRRecordID=1977">Tiber Dam-Lake Elwell</a>, home of the Montana State Record Walleye! </p><p>Stop, Shop and Stay in Shelby! |
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