Railroad Park was officially dedicated on July 4, 1976, in commemoration of the nation's 200th birthday, and on July 12, 1976, the City of Sparks City Council officially named it James C. Lillard Railroad Park in honor of Mayor James C. Lillard, who appointed the City of Sparks Bicentennial Commission. Many outstanding citizens and groups worked together on the Bicentennial project, which earned the City of Sparks recognition as one of the top three bicentennial cities in the United States. James C. Lillard was born August 27, 1927, in Missouri and moved to Sparks in 1935. He was educated at Robert Mitchell School, Sparks Junior High School, Sparks High School, and Reno Business College, where he obtained a B.A. in Business Administration. He served in the United States Navy during World War II, was active in many community service programs, and was elected Mayor of the City of Sparks in June 1971 and again in June 1975, serving until 1979.