Dayton in Rhea County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Site of Rhea County High School
Scopes Trial Trail
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2021
1. Site of Rhea County High School Marker
On the north side of this site, 75 yards south of the creek, was the school where in 1924-25 John T. Scopes coached football, basketball, and baseball as well as taught mathematics, physics, and chemistry. The building was used by Bryan University from 1930 to 1935.Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Education • Law Enforcement. A significant historical year for this entry is 1925.
Location. 35° 29.7′ N, 85° 0.57′ W. Marker is in Dayton, Tennessee, in Rhea County. Marker is on 4th Avenue south of Church Street, on the left when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 224 4th Avenue, Dayton TN 37321, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. W.C. Bailey Boardinghouse (about 600 feet away, measured in a direct line); McKenzie Law Office (about 700 feet away); The Scopes Trial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rhea County Veteran's Memorial (approx. 0.2 miles away); Rhea County Courthouse (approx. 0.2 miles away); William Jennings Bryan (approx. 0.2 miles away); John Morgan Furniture
this page online
Photographed By Duane and Tracy Marsteller, September 25, 2021
2. Site of Rhea County High School Marker
via Tennessee State Library & Archives
3. Rhea Central High School
The school closed in 1931 when a new school was built, and razed sometime afterward. A community center and government offices now occupy the site.
Watson Davis via Smithsonian Institution, September 23, 2008
4. John T. Scopes
Scopes was charged with violating a state law by teaching Charles Darwin's theory of evolution in a biology class here. He was convicted after a celebrated show trial and fined $100. The law ultimately was overturned.
Credits. This page was last revised on September 28, 2021. It was originally submitted on September 28, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 177 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on September 28, 2021, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
