The climate in this area is characterized by hot, humid summers and generally mild to cool winters.

The county was named for Isaac Shelby, an American military hero and governor of Kentucky.

The originally county seat was Shelbyville, Texas located approximately 7 miles (11 km) from White Cottage.

However, one night in 1866, a group of men led by Parker entered into the court house and stole all of the records and took them to a log cabin near White Cottage.

Shortly after the incident, the community became known as Center, primarily to reflect the requisite location of the county seat.

When the bond of builders J.J. E. Gibson and Pat McLaughlin for the sum of $26,725 was issued in 1884 for them to erect a new courthouse for Shelby County, the firm of Wilson and Martin was among the securities.

The courthouse, modeled after an Irish castle, was completed in November, 1885 and is still standing as the centerpiece of the Center Square.

The town of Center made national news twice in 1920s for the lynchings of black murder suspects without a trial.

On August 3, 1920, Lige Daniels was seized by an angry mob that broke into the Shelby County Jail, where he was being held on charges of the beating death of a woman.

The oak tree was used again as a gallows on May 21, 1928, when another mob intercepted another 18-year old African-American, accused murderer Eolis Evans, as he was being returned to the county jail.

The festival is in honor of John Moosberg who started the broiler house system in Shelby County.

A mural of the events is located in the Farmers State Bank with John Mooseberg's picture.

The Pageant is open to all Shelby County Young Ladies and a PreTeen, JrTeen, Teen and Miss Queen is crowned.

The title holder represents Shelby County throughout her annual reign at many area events.

Also each fall, in August, junior girls from Shelby County high schools compete against each other in the Poultry festival pageant the winner wins a $2,000 scholarship.