Our History

The hospital was established in Shelbyville, the county seat, in 1916. During that year, a campaign was launched by Senator George D. Chaffee to bring health care services to the area. After residents and organizations worked tirelessly to build contributions for a hospital fund, work on the hospital building was started in 1917 and the new building, built on land that was formerly an old Lutheran Cemetery on South Cedar Street, was dedicated on July 4, 1918. The day the country celebrated its independence, Shelby County residents also celebrated their independence to have quality health care services in their own backyard. 

HSHS Good Shepherd Hospital is the county’s only hospital. Shelbyville is located along the Kaskaskia River and has a population of almost 5,000 people. Founded in 1827, Shelbyville was named in honor of Isaac Shelby, hero of the Revolutionary War and Governor of Kentucky. In 1835, Barnett Bone, a Tennessean, built a log cabin along the Kaskaskia River. This early settlement became the first and only county courthouse.