Above is a shot from the tracks of the depot in Shelby as it appeared in 1946. Although Shelby Iron ceased manufacturing operations in 1923, the company remained in business well into the mid 20th century. The depot remained a thriving and important location for Shelby residents. In 1946, the post office still occupied the original 1870 building located less than100 yards from the depot, Mail coming in on the train would be loaded onto carts and pulled to the nearby building. Shelby residents would gather daily to “meet the train” for mail, freight, and, of course, to see who was entering or departing town on one of the passenger trains.
Our Great Grandfather, James F. McLane was Postmaster of the old Shelby post office in the 1890′s. His oldest son was Bookkeeper at S.I.C. His younger son, James H. McLane, our Grandfather, married Beaulah Linnie Dupree about 1884. Both were from Shelby Iron Works, Alabama. James F. and Cynthia Ann’s daughter Rosa, married George Washington Crossett who was storekeeper of the S.I.C. Commisary. Our Dad, George W. McLane, was named after Crossett who died on 2/20/12, the day Dad was born. George W. McLane,jr.
James F. McLane was my great, great grandfather. My grandmother was Kitty Kathleen McLane Shaw married to Cecil Hobart Shaw. Would love to share history of the McLane family.