Dayton, County seat in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States.
Description
Dayton is a small city in Rhea County, Tennessee, sitting near the Tennessee River northeast of Chattanooga. The downtown area features traditional storefronts and a central courthouse that anchors the community.
History
The settlement began in 1820 as Smith's Crossroads before being renamed Dayton in 1877 after Ohio's city of the same name. The 1925 Scopes Trial brought worldwide attention to the town and became a defining moment in its history.
Culture
The courthouse here keeps the original courtroom from the 1925 Scopes Trial, where you can see exhibits about the clash between science and religion in American schools.
Practical
The town is easy to navigate on foot, and parking is readily available downtown near the main attractions. Plan your visit during spring or fall when the weather is mild and local events often take place.
Did you know?
Bryan College, founded in 1930 on a hill overlooking the city, was created as a living memorial to William Jennings Bryan, who played a central role in the Scopes Trial. The college's founding reflected the community's values and left a lasting mark on the region's education.
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Rhea County Courthouse
671 mLaurel-Snow State Natural Area
3 kmTennessee Highway 60 Bridge
9.9 km
Broyles-Darwin House
1.7 km
Dr. Walter Thomison House
1.6 km
Gooch Creek Arch
5.4 km
Rhea County Court House Historic landmark
659 mPendergrass Bluff
13.3 kmPowell Bluff
14.9 kmGarrison Bluff
7.5 kmJohnson Bluff
4.4 kmT Industries Lake
10.4 kmSunny View Ln, Dayton, TN 37321
9.3 kmLaurel Falls
5.4 kmScenic viewpoint
4.9 kmScenic viewpoint
4.4 kmScenic viewpoint
5.5 kmRoaring Creek Overlook
9.1 kmWildcat Hollow Falls
8.8 kmScenic viewpoint
5.1 kmBrush Creek Falls 20
8.1 kmLaurel Falls 80
5.3 kmNorth Pole Falls 17
4.8 kmPaine Creek Falls 10
3.2 kmSale Creek Falls 40
4.1 kmSnow Falls 12
5.6 kmMcGill Creek Falls
12.1 kmMonument featuring aircraft, tourist attraction
7.4 kmDiscover hidden gems everywhere you go!
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