James W. Dillon, born in 1826 and died in 1913, established a modest store in Little Rock, South Carolina, in 1853. As a cotton farmer, he understood the financial needs of fellow citizens and provided credit for start-up and operating funds for local farmers. After the Civil War, this led to the establishment of J.W. Dillon and Sons, a private banking institution. In 1888, as a successful businessman, Dillon donated one-half interest in 54 acres to encourage the Florence Railroad Company to build a rail line into the area, and he also invested in a second store there that ultimately replaced the one in Little Rock. The Town of Dillon grew from these investments. After a lengthy 15-year legislative process, the governor signed a bill on February 5, 1910, creating Dillon County and applauding Dillon as the father of Dillon. J.W. Dillon and Sons then donated a half square of land and $25.000 for construction of the courthouse in celebration of the county's creation. Built in 1890 for Dillon, this Queen Anne style house stood originally on the corner of First Avenue and Washington Street, and he lived there until his death. In 1967, the Dillon County Historical Society relocated, restored, and furnished the house to reflect life in Dillon in the early 1900s, and the house features many items belonging to the Dillon family.