W.W. Sellers, in his "History of Marion County", tells us that the City of Dillon owes it's origin to the building of the Florence (Short Cut) Railroad. The City of Dillon, county seat and largest municipality in Dillon County, was established in 1887. At that time it had a population of but 87 persons, but with the coming of the railroad, it didn't take long to grow. By 1897 the population was 1015, and by 1920, the population had grown to 2,205.

Mr. Sellers writes:
"I think Duncan McLaurin was first to settle there [Dillon], a level-headed progressive man; he was soon followed by others. The founders of [Dillon] had an eye to the future of the place. It is well and sensibly laid out; the streets are wide and at right angles to and with each other, and in this respect is the Philadelphia of the county. The location was uninviting--it was comparatively in a pond."

Duncan McLaurin Historic Marker



Marker reads:
"DUNCAN McLAURIN
1847-1934
FATHER OF DILLON

First settler, first merchant first mayor, first postmaster chairman of first school board.
Post office in his store - 20 feet north of this point.
This memorial erected in 1990 by his family.

Dillon's Officials

• Mayors
• Postmasters

More about Town of Dillon - Links to other sites:

DILLON COUNTY MUSEUM
Located in Latta, right across from the library, in the restored office of the late Dr. Henry Edwards. For a virtual tour of its many exhibits, visit the Dillon County Historical Society web site.

Back to Dillon History
Dillon Main Page