Shelby, city (1990 pop. 14,669), seat of Cleveland co., W N.C., in a fertile piedmont farming (cotton, grain, soybeans, livestock) area; inc. 1843. There is dairy processing, and plastic and metal products, uphostered furniture, textiles and apparel, and chemicals are some of the varied manufactures. To the south (in South Carolina) is Kings Mountain National Military Park, site of a battle fought on Oct. 7, 1780, between a party of backwoodsmen under Isaac Shelby, John Sevier, and William Campbell and a British and Tory force led by Patrick Ferguson (see Carolina campaign).