[2] James Wilson was the first settler in the future Shelby County, raising a cabin there in 1819.

In 1820 Wilson and a few other settlers traveled to the Government Land Office at Brookville to make good their existing settlement claims.

In partnership with John Sleeth, a townsite with streets, alleys and a public square was laid out and platted.

This was the first such effort in the future county, which was authorized by the state legislature on 31 December 1821.

This Shelby County, Indiana location article is a stub.