Shelbyville in Shelby County, Indiana — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)

Wilbur Shaw

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, March 23, 2021

1. Wilbur Shaw Marker

Inscription.
Wilbur Shaw was born in Shelbyville on October 31, 1902, and reared here. He went on to become one of the most iconic figures in all of American sports. A household name because of his racing exploits, he loved to talk about his first race here at the Shelby County Fairgrounds, in a goat cart! He was seven years old. He didn’t win that one, but claimed scores of other victories on the way to becoming a three time winner of the famed Inianapolis 500. (1937-’39-’40)

More important than all of Wilbur’s on track accomplishments, however, were his passionate efforts after World War II to rescue the Indianapolis Motor Speedway from certain destruction. His work led Anton Hulman Jr. to purchase the track in 1945, and his leadership elevated the 500 to one of the world’s premier sporting events. Until his death on October 30, 1954, Wilbur remained proud to be the Speedway’s President, a Hoosier, and from Shelbyville.

Erected 2014 by Indiana Racing Memorial Association.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Roads & Vehicles • Sports. A significant historical year for this entry is 1945.

Location. 39° 31.67′ N, 85° 45.54′ W. Marker is in Shelbyville, Indiana, in Shelby County. Marker can be reached

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from Frank Street, 0.2 miles south of Fair Avenue, on the right when traveling north. The marker is in the Shelby County Fairgrounds behind the grandstand. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 500 Frank Street, Shelbyville IN 46176, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 7 other markers are within 13 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Thomas A. Hendricks 1819- 1885 (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Indiana's First Railroad (approx. 0.6 miles away); Site of Home of Thomas Andrews Hendricks (approx. one mile away); Civil War Memorial - Shelby County Indiana (approx. 1.1 miles away); Historic Shelbyville High School 1896 (approx. 1.1 miles away); Whetzel Trace (approx. 4.6 miles away); USAC Plane Crash (approx. 12.9 miles away).

Additional keywords. Indiana Racing Memorial Association

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, March 23, 2021

2. Wilbur Shaw Marker

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, March 23, 2021

3. Wilbur Shaw Marker

The front gate of the Shelby County Fairgrounds. image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Rev. Ronald Irick, March 23, 2021

4. The front gate of the Shelby County Fairgrounds.

The marker is out of sight, to the far left, just around the corner from the building with the round roof. Part of the grandstand is visible.

Credits. This page was last revised on March 25, 2021. It was originally submitted on March 24, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. This page has been viewed 241 times since then and 34 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on March 24, 2021, by Rev. Ronald Irick of West Liberty, Ohio. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.