SHELBY — The Shelby Cycle Co. left a significant impact on both the city’s heritage and the national bicycle industry.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Shelby Cycle Co., formally established in 1925 — the same year it began production of complete bicycles.
During Monday’s council meeting, Shelby Mayor Steve Schag read a proclamation — penned by Shelby historian Christina Drain — to honor and reflect upon the company’s legacy.
Drain wove a wealth of history within the proclamation’s lines, which highlighted the evolution of the internationally-known bicycle company.
A spotlight will be shone on much of this history during the upcoming Shelby Bicycle Days festival, which runs Friday and Saturday in the city’s downtown. Several special events are planned to showcase the Shelby Cycle Company during the two-day festival.
The Shelby Cycle Historical Society is sponsoring these featured events, which include an open house anniversary celebration and a slow-paced bicycle tour, among others.
Drain said several Shelby bicycle collectors will be in attendance during Friday’s open house, which runs from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Shelby Justice Center, 31 Mack Ave.
“The whole lobby (of the Shelby Justice Center) will be full of bikes,” she said. “We have people coming from Missouri, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Indiana bringing their bikes in. It’s going to be a lot of fun.”
Shelby once responsible for one-third of Ohio’s bicycle output
The proclamation read Monday by Schag highlights several significant milestones achieved by the Shelby Cycle Co.
It all began with the formation of the Shelby Cycle Frame Builders in 1921, which was founded by A.D. Meiselbach. He was drawn to Shelby by the quality seamless tubing from the Ohio Seamless Tube Co. and the promise of factory space.
The company’s future was secured in 1924 by critical financial backing and leadership from Joseph A. Seltzer, who became president of the company.
Factory superintendent Leon A. Smith and 18 dedicated employees were instrumental in keeping the factory operational and turning a profit — which paved the way for the company’s transformation into the Shelby Cycle Co. in 1925, the proclamation reads.
The Shelby Cycle Company gained both national and international recognition, notably with its introduction of “The Whippet” bicycle in January 1927 at a bicycle trade show in New York.
Under the leadership of presidents such as John Strock Seltzer and H. Clyde Brokaw, and through the inventive genius of Leon A. Smith, the company experienced substantial growth. It expanded to 180,000 square feet, 250 employees, and produced 500 bicycles a day by 1935.
By 1937, the Shelby Cycle Company was a national leader, responsible for one-third of Ohio’s bicycle output. The company manufactured over 200,000 custom-built bicycles annually with 400 employees working three shifts.
Despite its enduring success, the company faced increasing competition — leading to its sale in 1953 after Leon Smith’s retirement.
Operations eventually moved out of Shelby by the end of that year and the Shelby name ultimately ceased to be used in bicycle manufacturing within a decade.
(Below is a PDF of the proclamation written by Shelby historian Christina Drain and read Monday evening by Shelby Mayor Steve Schag.)