Charles Majors Elementary   1940 to 1946 - School photos submitted by June (Hamilton) McCord A seminary was open in 1856 on the corner of Franklin and Pike.   Nine years later a fire destroyed the structure. In 1868 the school open with eight teachers.   The third floor way divided into two rooms, which was used as a high school. The seminary known as School No. 1 was renamed Charles Major School after Shelbyville's author. The Bears of Blue River statue (designed by Mary Elizabeth Stout to commemorate one of Mr. Major's books) was unveiled in 1892.   Notice the statue in not in the photo on the left. Source: Shelbyville A Pictorial History by Beverly Oliver ISBN 0-943963-53-2