Shelby, Montana is the seat of government for Toole County. Situated along the Montana Hi-Line, which refers to the northern part of Montana, or the first one hundred miles of Montana south of the Canadian border. Shelby has four distinct seasons although, due to its location just off of the Rocky Mountain Front, wind is a constant presence. The city was named for Peter O. Shelby, general manager of the Montana Central Railway. A distinctive historical fact about Shelby is that, in 1923, hoping to put the town on the map, the town of Shelby opted to host a boxing match featuring the heavyweight champion, Jack Dempsey, a scheme that nearly bankrupted the town, which had a population of 2,500 at the time. Originally offering a $100,000 purse, the offer was somehow increased to $300,000 despite the fact that the town could not come up with the money. A massive stadium was built to accommodate the influx of people expected to attend the event, along with several temporary hotels. The town had trouble selling advance tickets; then, because the town had not yet come up with the final $100,000, Dempsey’s manager leaked word that the fight was off, resulting in the cancellation of its advanced ticket sales. By the time it became known that the fight was on, it was too late to sell tickets and for people to make their way to Shelby. The stadium, designed to hold 42,000 people, had only a handful of people in attendance, and they were mostly locals who bought tickets only after the ticket price was lowered from $25 to $10. Then, just before the opening bell of the first round, more than 4,000 pushed over the fence surrounding the stadium and entered for free. The fight itself was the first in which anyone had gone the full 15 rounds with Dempsey.
 
 
Recommended Resources
The official municipal site offers a city council agenda and minutes, meeting schedules, and a city newsletter, as well as contacts for its administrative and departmental offices, and a guide to area schools, churches, and recreational facilities.
http://www.shelbymt.com/
Learn about Choice Hotel reward and privilege programs. Find rates and amenities specific to the Shelby Comfort Inn location.
http://www.comfortinn.com/hotel-shelby-montana-MT420
Opening for business in 1910, the local community bank is located near the city parking lot in Shelby, Montana. Its history, banking products, rates, and general information about the bank is presented.
http://www.fsbshelby.com/
Located in Shelby, Montana, the company offers website design, photographic services, and slideshow videos. A portfolio of the company’s work is presented on its site, with contact information.
http://www.hilinewebdesign.com/
The Shelby, Montana recreational vehicle park is the last RV park before entering Canada, and the first RV park for those entering Montana. Its location, services, reservation policies, and photographs of the park are presented.
http://www.lewisandclarkrvpark.com/
Held in Shelby, Montana, the four-county agricultural fair is a multi-day event featuring participants from Toole, Pondera, Liberty, and Glacier counties. Schedules are published to the site, with information about getting involved.
http://www.mariasfair.com/
Shelby Area Chamber of Commerce
The non-profit membership organization is made up of businesses from the Shelby, Montana region. Membership benefits, schedules, and a directory of members are posted to the site, along with a guide to local accommodations, a relocation guide, and calendar of events.
http://www.shelbymtchamber.org/
The chiropractic clinic serves patients in Shelby, Montana and the surrounding area. Its location, office hours, and appointment policies are put forward, along with reviews and a blog.
http://www.shelby-chiropractic.com/
Situated at the intersection of I-15 and Highway 2 in Shelby, Montana, the park features full hook-ups, wireless Internet, cable, showers, laundry facilities, an indoor pool, and a fitness center. Its location, rates, and registration contacts are posted.
http://www.shelbymtrvpark.com/
The locally owned Shelby, Montana store carries gourmet coffee beans, packaged foods, candies, particularly Jelly Bellies, books, and home decorative items, as well as hosting an espresso/fountain bar. Its location, store, menus, books, and a wedding registry are featured.
http://www.prairiepeddler.com/
The library’s hours of operations, a calendar of upcoming programs and events, and information about new books and media, its children’s programs, computer usage, and policies are stated.
http://toolecountylibrary.com/
The official county web site highlights the communities that make up the county, provides visitor information and a guide for residents, as well as contacts for elected officials and administrative and departmental staff.
http://www.toolecountymt.gov/
Located in Shelby, Montana, near the intersection of I-15 and Highway 2, the recreational vehicle campground offers full hook-up services, restrooms with showers, and laundry facilities. Directions, contacts, and online reservations are featured.
http://www.trailswestrvpark.com/