Dayton, County seat in Rhea County, Tennessee, United States.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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