The Shelby County Reporter, with much help from the Shelby County Historical Society, will soon publish “Shelby County:

Historic Images -The Early Years” to tell the story of the county’s early years in pictures and to raise awareness for the society, whose mission is to collect, preserve and share our county’s rich history.

“Shelby County – The Early Years” serves part of that mission. This book would not have been possible without the help of countless people who shared their photos; we appreciate their generosity.

The book will be divided into nine sections and it is entirely fitting that the book’s first section, titled “Scenes,” will include photographs of Shelby Springs which played a major role in our early recorded history.

The second section, “Commerce,” will illustrate that commerce ran the gamut from tiny businesses to grand hotels and will include photos of horse-drawn wagons and carriages and early automobiles that lend the county’s streets and air of otherness, of unfamiliarity.

The sections on “Industry” and Transportation” show the collective power of labor to grow and harvest crops, cut stone from quarries and build bridges and communities.

The section on “Public Service” will show people who banded together to fight crime, fires and wars and to deliver the mail.

The sections on “Education,” “Sports and Leisure,” Home,” and “Community” are full of group photos of classes, teams, marchers in parades; in short, the photos capture life as it was here long ago.

All in all, the book is a remarkable collection of photos from the Shelby County Historical Society achieves, from local and University of Montevallo libraries and personal collectors.

It offers more than a peek into the past; it’s a chance to linger there.

We are proud to have played a part in making this keepsake book available.

The hardcover book will be available in November of this year.

Should you or someone you know have an interest in purchasing a copy, please contact our office or look for order forms in future issues of this newspaper