By Betsy Finklea
The train mural at the corner of Highway 301 and East Main Street was dedicated on Thursday morning.
The mural by Tommy Simpson depicts a real photograph from Dillon City Councilman Jay David that shows the first train that came into Dillon.
A couple from Delaware, who was traveling through Dillon on their way to Georgia, stopped to take a picture of the mural and joined the celebration.
Mayor Tally McColl said this was really a proud day in Dillon. This is the fifth and final mural in this series of murals. McColl said these murals are more than just pretty pictures; they are snapshots of the community. He said all of the murals are important and show the lifestyle of the community. He said one can look at the murals and see what the community is about. McColl said he hopes the murals spark interest and creates foot traffic downtown.
Jay David, the owner of the original pictures, said he heard many stories about this picture over the years. He said J.W. Dillon, the father of Dillon County, came from Little Rock to Dillon around 1880. David said the mural represents the very beginning of Dillon to him.
David said in 1882, J.W. Dillon met with the Florence Railroad about bringing the railroad through Dillon. The 63 acres of land that it went through was jointly owned by J.W. Dillon and the railroad. David said J.W. Dillon knew this was the beginning of something special. So in 1882, the deal was made; in 1887, the railroad was commissioned; and in 1893, the railroad was fully completed through Dillon. The photo, which he had at the dedication, was the very first train come through Dillon upon the completion of the railroad. He said there was a great deal of history behind this mural, and he was glad to see this photo come to life through this mural.
Downtown Development Director Lisa Moody said this is the third mural in Dillon’s downtown by the artist Tommy Simpson.
PHOTO GALLERY
Photos by Johnnie Daniels/The Dillon County News, LLC
