Photograph of Shelby County Courthouse in Center, TX. A parking lot sits in front of the courthouse with multiple parked vehicles, with two men standing next to a white car near the center of the lot. One man wearing pants, shoes, a jacket, and a tie, all in black, with a white shirt leans against the driver's side door of the car while facing a shorter man dressed entirely in black including shoes, pants, a long-sleeved shirt, and a hat. Beyond the parking lot, grass surrounds the courthouse and contains multiple trees with little foliage, a wooden bench under a tree to the left, and a stone slab which sits upright at the end of the walkway that leads to the courthouse's entrance. The slab's only clearing markings are "WOW" at its top. A flagpole rises behind the slab while a white clock on a short white column sits a short distance to its right. The courthouse building is made of red bricks and has red shingles on its A-frame roof, with one sloping side facing the camera. The entrance to the courthouse sticks out from the rest of the building slightly as it too faces the camera, and has …

The Historic Shelby County Courthouse, a magnificent Irish castle-style building, stands proudly as a unique architectural gem in the United States. Designed by John Joseph Emmett Gibson and completed in 1885, the courthouse features turrets, towers, and a frame cupola inspired by the castles of Ireland. Though the county conducts most of its business in a modern courthouse, this historic landmark is a testament to the county's past and serves as the home to the Shelby County Veterans Office, welcoming visitors for tours. With a fascinating history dating back to its establishment in 1836, this courthouse holds the stories of Texas' early days and the evolution of Shelby County.

The Historic Shelby County Courthouse stands as a remarkable example of Irish castle-style architecture, a rare gem in the United States. Designed by John Joseph Emmett Gibson and completed in 1885, this magnificent courthouse showcases turrets, towers, and a frame cupola reminiscent of Ireland's castles. While the county's main operations are in a modern courthouse, this historic landmark now houses the Shelby County Veterans Office and opens its doors for captivating tours, preserving the rich history of Shelby County since its establishment in 1836.