The Dillard Behind Dillard Street
Dillard Street is named after James L. Dillard
(1858-1943), one of the leading fruit and
vegetable cultivators in the area. He also
ran the town’s garage, founded the Bank of
Winter Garden, formed a cigar-rolling business, and was city commissioner and state
legislator as well. Dillard constructed several
brick buildings in downtown that still stand
today, including the Bond building (originally
called the Dillard & Boyd Building at 12 West
Plant St.), Tony’s Liquors (originally the Shelby
Hotel on 1 W. Plant St.), and the building at 31
South Main Street. Dillard also donated the
land on which the First Baptist Church was
built in 1922.
SEPTEMBER 2014
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WINTER GARDEN MAGAZINE
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