| In 1983, the Summit Historical Society published a reprint of Anna Emore's DILLON: The Blue River Wonderland, originally released in 1976. The majority of information on the town of Dillon is provided by this resource. |
| Date | Event |
| 26 July 1881 | Patent issued for the original town site to the Dillon Mining Company |
| 1882 | Many homes moved from Frisco to Dillon, including a saloon, which later became "The Mint", which still stands in Silverthorne today. |
| 1882 | Train depot was built to accommodate the Denver & Rio Grande Railroad coming from Leadville, and the Union Pacific, South Park Railroad coming over Boreas Pass through Breckenridge. |
| 26 January 1883 | Town Incorporated |
| 1883 | Hamilton Hotel was built, which later became the Dillon Hotel. In 1961 it was moved to Breckenridge, and burned down in 1963. |
| 1883 | Well was drilled at the intersection of Main Street and Montezuma Avenue, an effort to fight structural fires. |
| 1892 | Colorado Power Company builds a plant south of Dillon, and the power line over Argentine Pass (later sold). |
| 1898 | Telephone service arrives, with the exchange office located in Dillon. |
| 1899 | Town Hall was built. |
| 1899 | Snow blockade that lasted from January 28 - April 24. During this time, there were no trains coming into or leaving Summit County from Denver or Leadville. |
| 30 June 1901 | Dillon Cemetery was patented - the only cemetery ever - by President McKinley, through a special act called the "Cemetery and Park Act". Listed as a legal subdivision under Mayor C.C. Warren. |
| 1914 | The birth of the Dillon Dam in an idea to dam the Blue River and divert it through the mountains to Denver. |
| 1919 | Anders Haugen set a world record ski jump on the Dillon ski run of 213 feet. 1920, that record was broken at 214 feet, and held until 1932. |
| 1929-1940 | Denver Water Board purchases the majority of the Town of Dillon land. |
| 1956 | Residents are told they must sell and be out of the town by 1961 to make room for the Dillon Dam. Initial surveys on the project are authorized and work begins to tunnel through the western mountains, emerging at Grant. |
| 1960-1961 | Homes are moved to the new town site on what is now the northeastern shore of the reservoir. Some of the first to move were: Henry Emores, Ray Hill, Jim Smith, Leon Allen, Chuck Collard, Mike Uitich, John Younger, John Bailey, John Valaer and Jerry Muth; as well as The Gamble Store owned by Olav Moller, the Town Hall, the I.O.O.F. Hall and the church. The Arapahoe Cafe was moved later in 1961. |
