Captain John Dillard settled in our beautiful valley in 1794 after being awarded a land grant of one thousand acres for his service in the American Revolution. Legend has it that to make peace with the local Cherokee Indians, a gift of a muzzle-loading rifle, a jug of apple brandy, a coonskin cap and $3.00 was given for all the land between two mountain tops.
It remained a remote area with little contact with the outside world due to the rugged mountains which made travel difficult.
The Dillard family flourished and established many of the early businesses in the area including a way station for stagecoaches, a boarding house, and a post office. In 1890, the postal service picked "Dillard" as the official name of the Post Office. Several other families with names of descendants well recognized today had also moved to this mountain valley. They include family names such as Keener, Garland, and Greenwood.
By 1905, Dillard had grown as a thriving mountain town with a blacksmith shop, a livery stable, two general merchandise stores, a cobbler, an open air market, two boarding houses, a church, and a school. Two water powered grain mills and a saw mill were nearby.
In 1907, the railroad came to Dillard connecting it to the World.
Arthur Dillard, the great-grandson of John Dillard, operated a general store and wife, Carrie, opened a boarding house which later became The Dillard House. The town of Dillard grew and prospered, and during the twenties, electricity and telephones came to this mountain valley. The road was relocated and widened and became designated as US Highway 23/441.
Arthur and Carrie's businesses grew and flourished. In 1923, they gave a piece of land behind their store to be used for a community school. The brick building originally built for the school is now known as the Dillard City Hall.
During Prohibition days moon shining - making corn liquor- was an accepted way of life in this mountain area. Rabun County became the moonshine capital of Georgia.
During the thirties, the depression took a heavy toll on Rabun County and on Arthur and Carrie Dillard. Arthur lost the general store.
In the forties, after World War II, good times returned to the mountain area economy as tourists and summer residents returned.
In 1958 the new Dillard House dining room was built.. It has been expanded several more times since then.
The following years were good to Dillard and the Dillard Family. The Dillard House became a favorite place to visit for many well-to-do families including Robert Woodruff, the president of Coca-Cola. The Dillard House has become one of the South's favorite and best known restaurants with its legendary Southern Style Cooking and large quantities served family style.
Today, The Dillard House is operated by Carrie's grandson, John Dillard, who is continuing the tradition of Southern Hospitality.
Dillard has also become well known for its growing number of antique, craft, and specialty shops which have made Dillard a favorite place to visit for the many visitors to the mountains. Dillard is also well known for its many excellent lodging facilities including motels, bed & breakfasts, chalets, campsites, and rustic cabins. The two southernmost skiing areas in the Southeast are located just outside of Dillard.
The Dillard Merchants Association invites you to stay a spell and explore this web site to become better acquainted with all the merchants, activities, and attractions awaiting you in this delightful mountain community. Thanks for visiting! |
